fmdead

After the first couple of episodes, I didn't know if I would continue. Don't get me wrong, the premise is great: two acerbic retirees thrown together by chance, the framework of episodic mysteries and a through-line of a bigger personal mystery to solve, all involving a road trip through gorgeous scenery. But - the weekly mysteries were so lame! "Death in Paradise" or "Father Brown" it is not! And the acting of the supporting characters is generally very amateur. However, it improves and finds a groove. You're gently sucked in to the deepening relationship between the main characters and the stories get better. The proof is in the pudding - I'm going to dive into second season and looking forward to it!

Wicked is a real cinematic experience - the concept, the visuals, the music, the plot and clever tie-ins to the original story without disrespecting it - it's pure entertainment from the word go. It's packed and the kind of movie that even as you're watching it you're thinking you'll have to watch again sometime to catch everything you may have missed first time around. My personal favorite was Ariana Grande who's a real revelation here, who knew? And, even though it is Part One with a sequel to come, it still felt complete, unlike so many other movies these days that are just teasers for the next installment.

However - it's simply too long. About three-quarters through, the story begins to meander with gratuitous scenes - that's when my surreptitious watch-glancing started. As the ending is in sight, it's as if the writers just had too many good ideas they still wanted to throw in - the "everything but the kitchen sink" approach - so much build-up takes away from the satisfaction of the climax. In other words, the pacing was way off and the film needed much tighter editing - more is sometimes not more.

That said, Wicked is still a joyful triumph. It's unlike anything else on the movie landscape right now -- a big, sweet, truly eye-popping romp.

The best part of the show is Rob Lowe's comedy as a nutty Elon Musk type of character with eccentric antics - zero empathy, new age-y, but never the less with a heart of gold (come to think of it, not that much different than the essence of his Parks & Recreation role.) There are funny moments, but most of the rest of the mix doesn't work or mesh. The other actors are trying too hard to be "characters," it's very contrived, and Rob Lowe's son is just not a natural actor. Most of all, it is very one-note - overbearing, loving father misguidedly quenching the son's attempts at independence. There's really not much other plot or any tension. I watched the first season and half of the second - but I'm just too bored to continue. Considered rating it a seven just for Rob Lowe and some good lines - but then figured if I'm abandoning it, it really doesn't deserve more than a six!