SPOILERS for Depraved: Half 1 are forward! Additionally, I don’t dive into what occurs in Act 2 of the musical – so, you might be secure from these right here. When you haven’t seen the movie but, you possibly can catch it in theaters now.
I grew up watching The Wizard of Oz; I performed it on repeat as just a little child. Nonetheless, I hadn’t revisited it till after I noticed Depraved in theaters proper earlier than its premiere on the 2024 film schedule. Whereas I noticed the musical on Broadway a few years in the past for the primary time, I remembered virtually not one of the plot, and might solely sing alongside to the hits. So, I went into its film adaptation with an unfocused view of how the unique movie impacted it.
Nonetheless, after I left Depraved and gave it a five-star overview, I instantly re-watched The Wizard of Oz. And I’ve to say, my emotions concerning the characters within the OG movie have completely modified.
When Glinda Comes Down In Munchkinland My Emotions Have been Very Muddled
To be sincere, I didn’t assume a lot about The Good Witch rising up with The Wizard of Oz. She was only a attractive gal who appeared in her bubble at first and finish of Dorothy’s journey, and I by no means actually related her to The Depraved Witch.
Nicely, that’s completely modified now.
When Depraved opened with “No One Mourns The Depraved” and Glinda descended in her bubble to speak to the Munchkins concerning the dying of the witch, I couldn’t assist however clock the best way she was seemingly masking how she felt about all of it. Then, by the top of the film, it was clear that Glinda and Elphaba have been greatest associates who cut up methods at a heartbreaking second, and I couldn’t assist however really feel the burden of that as I watched the 1939 movie.
General, Glinda went from a healthful, candy and bubbly witch who juxtaposed the Depraved Witch completely, to a fancy character who made a option to not go along with her buddy that modified the course of each their lives perpetually. Figuring out that she did not go together with Elphaba and stayed with The Wizard and Madame Morrible, I desperately wish to know what was going by means of her head throughout her interactions with the Munchkins in each The Wizard of Oz and Depraved, as a result of her previous with Elphaba actually provides a brand new and tragic weight to them.
I’ve By no means Been A Fan Of The Wizard…Now, I Can’t Even Empathize With Him
Upon reflection, the Wizard has by no means actually been that good. I imply, he was hiding his id and mendacity to a whole inhabitants about his energy. Nonetheless, after I watched The Wizard of Oz as a baby, I by no means noticed him as that unhealthy.
Nonetheless, Depraved completely modified that. Not solely is he hiding his id and lack of energy from his constituents, however he’s a giant a part of an evil plan too. Watching him and Madame Morrible get excited concerning the monkeys rising wings and listening to them discuss making them spies was despicable. Plus, his wanting to make use of Elphaba’s energy for his personal achieve is disgusting!
Once I initially watched The Wizard of Oz, I assume I at all times noticed this chief as a fish out of water attempting to succeed. Clearly, there’s much more to it than that within the unique movie, however watching the brand new musical helped amplify the chief’s true motivations and selfishness.
I Have A Lot Extra Empathy For The Depraved Witch Of The West
Now, I’m not even near the primary or final individual to make this declare, as a result of it’s the purpose of Depraved: I really feel a lot empathy for The Depraved Witch of the West. The present is supposed to provide you Elphaba’s origin story and train you about how she grew to become The Depraved Witch, and her tragic beginnings present a number of context for her later actions.
Nonetheless, whereas that’s one thing I at all times understood and supported after I noticed Depraved on Broadway and within the movie show, watching The Wizard of Oz actually hit otherwise. I hadn’t seen the unique film since I used to be just a little child, so I hadn’t had the chance to observe it with this new understanding of the Depraved Witch.
Figuring out how a lot she cares for these round her – and particularly those that are mistreated or completely different – in addition to the mistreatment she’s confronted all her life, I couldn’t assist however really feel unhappy for the witch whereas watching The Wizard of Oz.
Plus, with each transfer she made within the unique movie, I used to be fascinated by how perhaps it was a efficiency. Possibly, she’s pretending and placing on an act. Possibly, she’s drowning in these evil expectations. I couldn’t assist however ponder all of that as I watched the Depraved Witch of the West torment Dorothy and co. as a result of the Elphaba we met within the first a part of Depraved wouldn’t try this.
Additionally, Between Depraved And The Wizard Of Oz, I Can’t Cease Pondering About The Monkeys
Whereas I’m with regards to The Depraved Witch of the West appearing in a approach I couldn’t fathom after seeing Depraved, let’s take a second to speak concerning the monkeys, as a result of they hammer dwelling that time. Elphaba is adamant about serving to the animals within the musical – she saves the lion with Fiyero, she’s the one one wanting to assist Dr. Dillamond, and she or he’s mortified when she by accident provides the monkeys wings.
So, seeing the Depraved Witch with the monkeys within the unique movie was a bit jarring. Nonetheless, this time, I seen it extra as them serving her, as a result of she’s the one one who doesn’t deal with them like servants or slaves (in Depraved that’s). With out realizing about Elphaba, The Depraved Witch’s monkeys seem to be minions.
Nonetheless, after watching Depraved, I couldn’t assist however assume that the monkeys may need adopted her for a purpose, as a result of the Wizard handled them really, really terribly.
Truthfully, from the lead characters to numerous aspect ones within the OG movie, this new musical film actually modified my perspective on them.
Now, I can’t wait to see how the launch of Depraved: Half 2 impacts my emotions concerning the unique movie extra! Nonetheless, whereas we look ahead to its launch on the 2025 film schedule, you possibly can stream The Wizard of Oz with a Max subscription and catch Depraved: Half 1 in theaters now.