I've heard Act 2 isn't as good as the first Act on Broadway. Do you think that could be remedied for the film adaptation? One of the common complaints I heard was that the second act was rushed.
Also, there will apparently be two new songs created just for the film in Part 2 — a new song for Elphaba and a new song for Glinda.
New songs will help (basically mandatory). I was just surprised how faithful the first act is. Merely just stretched out sequences with cinematography. Constant, constant winking at the audience that the next big number is about to start. Not a criticism, but funny.
Part two lacks either the fun pop of Loathing/Popular or Adele Dazeem power ballads of Wizard and I/Defying gravity.
There’s essentially only three non reprise songs and one is from the Wizard (no offense but that’s going to be from a mediocre singer), which isn’t great. “No good deed”, a bit of a dour power balad and “for good”, which is a good duet. Two new songs and more material allows them to properly flesh it out.
The back half of the musical is more dour, obviously. But everyone loves a good “school narrative arc” so that’s always hard to compete against. The fact they did such a good job makes me hopeful they’ll improve part two.
I'm hoping to be pleasantly surprised by Moana 2, but I'm not optimistic. Its origins as a Disney Plus show and the absence of Lin Manuel Miranda make me fear that it won't be anywhere near as good as the first. I didn't love Frozen II, with it's messy and convoluted plot, but at least that movie was smart enough to bring the Lopez's back and "Into the Unkown" and "Show Yourself" were both bangers that redeemed the film somewhat.
I think this movie is being minimized. It was always a big budget production in its former iteration. It has been largely overseen and directed from Burbank, even if animators are working up the coast. I don’t think the Moana soundtrack is unbeatable. There are four solid songs on it and Shiny was a rare misfire.
It’s being seen as a direct to VHS production turned theatrical. But D+ production efforts have never been reminiscent of that era.
I also think Beyond is resonating with me as an earworm and that Auli’i has really matured as a singer. Her voice has dropped, which she’s talked about a lot.
The big issue I forsee is being just a retread in a different wrapper. But the added cast might help.
