As a lifelong movie enthusiast who has seen more films than I can count, November 2024 was undeniably a cinematic extravaganza with the releases of “Wicked (Part 1)” and “Gladiator II”. While “Barbenheimer” might have been the commercial juggernaut, “Glicked”, as I like to call it, took me by storm. Despite not being heavily advertised, both films managed impressive pre-Thanksgiving numbers and continue to dominate at the box office.
The month of November turned out to be a blockbuster for the box office, largely due to the simultaneous release of “Wicked (Part 1)” and “Gladiator II”. Despite less commercial hype surrounding “Glicked”, or “Barbenheimer” as it’s more commonly known, both films garnered impressive pre-Thanksgiving earnings and continue to perform exceptionally well. The lead actress from “Wicked (Part 1)”, Ariana Grande, has expressed her support for the double feature and even compared the two films as having an unusual resemblance, a comparison that I can certainly appreciate.
In an intriguing turn of events, both stars involved in “Glicked” – Ariana Grande and Lucius from Gladiator II (played by Mescal) – had a delightful exchange about the viral topic. Thanks to Variety’s Actors on Actors series, these two engaging personalities shared an entertaining and insightful discussion. Interestingly, during their chat, Ariana Grande, known for her song “Eternal Sunshine,” surprised Mescal when she suggested that their movies share more similarities than might initially be apparent.
It seems to me that our films share an unexpected resemblance. It might sound quite peculiar, but I genuinely believe this is the case, as they both explore significant themes such as good battling evil, and even touch upon the concepts of autocracy or corrupt leadership. They appear to be thematically connected in some aspects.
Initially, the actor from “All Of Us Strangers” appeared skeptical, just as I was. However, once they heard Grande’s explanation, her initially puzzling statement made sense. Beneath the glitz and enchantment of “Wicked” and the hard work and effort put into “Gladiator II,” both stories share similar plot structures, considering the themes the actress from “Scream Queens” mentioned.
In my perspective as an avid viewer, these two movies pose a compelling inquiry: “Are humans inherently good or evil?” Regarding the ongoing government corruption, it seems history has a habit of repeating itself in Rome, even post the first Gladiator saga. The corruption depicted in Wicked, for those unaware of its source material, catches one off-guard, and the betrayal strikes a deep chord. Sadly, we’ll have to wait until 2025 when part 2 is scheduled to hit theaters to discover how it all unfolds.
In summary, I understand her perspective well. Yet, I believe those concepts are quite prevalent in films, making her observation somewhat general. To elaborate on this, Mescal agreed with Grande’s viewpoint but also highlighted its simplicity, stating:
Additionally, I’d like to clarify that I’m not promoting ‘Glicked’ excessively, but rather, envisioning it as a pair—two dishes with shared themes yet distinct flavors, much like a double movie feature.
These two films, despite having similar overarching topics, are as distinct as Barbie and Oppenheimer. And isn’t that part of the charm? The contrast between heavy dramas and lighter musical comedies (or vice versa) can feel like a cinematic jolt, but it’s precisely this unexpected twist that makes it so enjoyable. I doubt any two movies could garner the same level of fascination as “Barbenheimer,” but it has undeniably sparked an idea – the absurd concept of unusual double features – in all our minds.
It’s important to note that I’m not undermining the success of the current blockbusters. Movies like “Gladiator II”, “Wicked”, and “Moana 2” are getting fantastic reviews and are highly anticipated as awards season approaches. In fact, both “Gladiator II” and “Wicked” have been nominated for several Golden Globes. To top it off, “Moana 2” has broken records with its domestic Thanksgiving box office numbers. Coming up with a name for the trio would be quite a mouthful!
Absolutely excited about the upcoming movie mix! But before that, don’t miss out on “Glicked” yet. As you watch it, take notice of the intriguing resemblances and contrasts between the enchanting Wizard of Oz prequel and the gripping blood-filled follow-up sequel.
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2024-12-12 21:38