Wicked: forms of power

Would you believe me if I told you that I went to see Wicked? I know, I can barely believe it myself! I was bored and nothing else was showing, so I figured “you know what? I’m going to practice my movie-critiquing skills and go pretty far out of my usual comfort zone!” So I did! And while it was a real struggle to find something interesting to talk about, I think I found a topic worth discussing. 

So, first of all, I will admit that this movie had an uphill battle to impress me. I usually don’t like musicals because the transitions into the songs feels forced. On top of that, I don’t really like the style of music in general. I haven’t studied them, or music theory, enough to really pinpoint exactly what it is, but it all just doesn’t vibe with me. 

I’m also getting really tired of these anti hero stories. I don’t hate them, per se, but I’m tired of the same plot that tries to force us to feel pity or sympathy for the evil actions of an evil person. I tip my hat to those who execute it well, but you have to knock it out of the park for me to get excited about it. There are other genres where I am far more lax, like action movies. Give me a few good explosions, some corny punchlines and some half-decent fight scenes, and I’m happy as a clam! I am far less harsh on something like The Fast and the Furious, than something like Sweeney Todd. It’s just how I am. 

All that to say, making a fan out of me was not going to be easy. In fact, from the moment the impulse to go struck me, to the halfway point of the actual movie, I kept asking myself: what has driven me to see this movie? I could have seen anything else, but this one struck me as one that I definitely ought to go see. I just couldn’t tell you why I felt that way. 

So I walked in, my most harsh, judgmental of critics hats placed firmly upon my head with a layer of duct tape in place to keep it going anywhere. I watched and I watched, hungry for something to criticize this movie for. And, after almost three hours, I gotta say:

My inner critic left with his appetite.

I can’t say it’s my favorite movie of the year, or that any of the songs really got that stuck in my head, but I can’t find anything to truly fault this movie with. I mean, for what it is, it executed everything really well. There were multiple plot lines that weaved themselves together quite snugly, the progression of the main character into a controversial figure was done quite fittingly, and even the transitions from movie into song and back again were handled with a wonderfully subtle finesse. There were one or two moments where I wish they hadn’t crammed in a musical number, or that it lacked the intensity I would have shown it. But that’s just my personal preference from spending a lot of time with music. So overall, I’d say this movie deserves the credit and good reviews it is getting and I hope it continues to shine brighter than all the other sloppy shenanigans that the movie world these days is bringing us. 

I think this was one of those things that a part of me wanted to refuse to connect with because it’s the mainstream, “popular kids” thing. I felt a part of my mind transported back to middle school when all the cool kids started doing something, so I angrily tried to one-up them with something else that was cooler. All this, because I wasn’t being invited to do their thing with them. A part of me has always wanted to stand out like that. Perhaps it was all in hopes of them joining me, thus bringing everyone back together again. I don’t know, something to think about some other time. 

But what I do know is that this movie got me thinking about power, specifically its two main forms:talent and influence. I touched on this when I talked about Batman, but basically who we are, and who we appear to be aren’t always one and the same. And I’m not just talking about how nice or kind we think someone is, but how far our influence can get us in this world. We see this played out in people’s lives everywhere. Some people rely heavily on others to help them do everything, while others would much rather opt to do everything themselves. Natural talent versus charisma. That’s what we’re talking about. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Let’s explore that, shall we?

So our main (green) character represents raw talent. She was born with superpowers like very few around her, and it makes people treat her differently (on top of the fact that she’s the only green person around. That doesn’t help her case.) It gets her some connections, but it’s an uphill battle to build those bridges, as she naturally intimidates most people. She has abilities that make her different, and those kinds of people usually find themselves on the out’s of social spheres. But that kind of talent can either be out in front, or out to the side. It’s all about how you learn how to use what you have been given. 

On the other hand, we have social influence. This is the ability to make people like you. Our other main character, the pampered princess Galinda, represents. She knows how to make people like her, doing just the right thing at just the right time to line people up to do her bidding. If the wicked witch can move stuff around, Galinda can move people around. And while charisma can open a lot of doors to be able to pick up some of the tricks of a wicked witch, it can’t completely make up for a lack of ability. 

But that’s actually alright, because charisma has the ability to control something far more powerful-the masses. That’s right-the ability to control lots of people and the story that they believe about you, the one going up against you, and the world at large, can bring about some powerful shifts indeed! But I’m not just talking about being able to make mobs and stir up riots, I’m talking about being able to control the power of belonging. You see, people are social creatures by nature, and we all long for someone to share ourselves with. It’s just part of being human. And if you can control that, you can bring even the most powerful of people to their knees.

Or you can bring them back to their feet. Making people feel connected and wanted can be a powerful force for good. Belonging is such a powerful need that stirs deep within us that giving it to someone can change their entire way of living. Charisma has the power to condemn villains or create heroes. It’s all about how you use it. 

So think about which you have more of: natural talent, or charisma. Maybe you have a little bit of both! Start thinking about ways that you can use it to bring others up, making them better, gooder people for it. Otherwise, you may be responsible for creating the next wicked witch of the west. So make someone feel welcome, protect them with your powers, and make the world a better place.

Until Next Time

May Peace be your Guide.