I have to admit, I was deeply, deeply cynical about this movie.

I'm not sure if it was the endless pre-roll videos as a part of AMC's intros, the trailers themselves all Summer long, and an absolutely obnoxious level of merchandising.

It may also have been due to a commercial for a local performance of Wicked that aired endlessly on area television.

I was ready to be a grump when I saw this. But my wife really very badly wanted to go.

It was just a few minutes into the movie, as a massive Munchkinland set is filled with dozens, if not hundreds of extras, all choreographed, singing their hearts out, that I recognized that this was a capital-M, capital-P Motion Picture. Goddamn.

Ariana Grande has comedic chops, as it turns out (SNL wasn't just a fluke), and Cynthia Erivo will be in the Oscar conversation for sure. I just wish it weren't only half-a-movie.

Shout out Peter Dinklage Goat Man.