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I was one of those who watched "The Wizard of Oz" from 1939 many times over the years. So this additional story, I figured, should be interesting. I also have a beautifully illustrated version of the original book, with some details the movie did not have. I have also seen other explanations for details about The Land of Oz in an ABC TV series.

I had seen a "making of" special and everything about this movie was amazing. To see it for real, though, led to some disappointments, as it didn't quite meet my expectations either for what I thought it was about, or the execution of certain plot details.

Elphaba, of course, is the standout character, and the one the movie is about. As hard as she tried, she couldn't seem to fit in, and she was somewhat bitter, but not to the point where she becomes ... well, wicked. That comes later and the movie does address that. Cynthia Erivo did an outstanding job and it's a shame she didn't win an Oscar, but there may not have been that extra something that puts eventual winners over the top. Ironically, she seems to be the good person. She cares about her disabled sister, even though Elphaba was mistreated over the years and her sister got all the advantages.

Glinda (Galinda at first), of course, is the Good Witch. My first impression of her, though, was that there was something missing. She had all the charm of a public relations person trying to say exactly what she was told to say by the company, even if she was somewhat on the perky side.

So is she a good person? Not at first. She is a shallow, selfish spoiled brat but perky and appealing in her way. Ariana Grande does all of this perfectly, and I see Lea Michele of "Glee' in her delivery. But it's kind of a one-note performance. That changes dramatically later. Well, maybe not so dramatically. She's still adorably shallow. And her motives for doing good may not be the best. But there is more dimension to the character.

And wow, can she sing! Though Kristin Chenoweth, who appeared briefly, can hit even higher notes. Ariana and Cynthia together sound amazing.

The relationship between the two is supposed to be what makes this movie work. I didn't see what I was expecting. There are a few scenes where they become friends long after they were forced together and seemed to hate each other. But the legendary friendship is not truly explained. It just seemed to happen while we weren't watching. And not one scene where both are working with Professor Morrible. And yet, somehow they are best friends.

Oh, yes, Professor Morrible. Wonderful performance by Michelle Yeoh.

Peter Dinklage was a professor who was an animal, so I had no idea it was him. He was great too. He always is. A major theme of this movie was the mistreatment of animals, very different from how it is in the "real world" because animals were equal to humans in Oz.

Jeff Goldblum was kind of ordinary (no Frank Morgan, but who could be?), but then again, so was The Wizard of Oz.

By the way, if the movie starts with the Wicked Witch having been killed, how does one explain Dorothy and her friends on the Yellow Brick Road? This means they haven't even arrived in the Emerald City. And that would have to come before Dorothy killed the witch.

I can't say enough about the costumes, the real sets, the computer generated sets, the musical numbers, the choreography. Everything is so bright and positive, until it isn't. The ending is quite dark and violent, and while much of the movie might be appropriate for the kids who would watch the 1939 movie, the ending may require caution (and it's not the ending, since there is a sequel). Actually, some people say the 1939 movie has scenes that would be too much for kids, even though it always got a TV-G rating.

One thing that is disturbing about the movie if someone saw it for the first time this past week: it seems all too much like the real world, with those who are perceived as different or inferior being mistreated and even arrested, and those who support those who are different are called The Enemy, while the people worship a con man who is not who they think he is.

It's not as perfect as the 1939 movie, but it has so much to recommend it.

This movie pretty much sticks to a formula. Busy big city women go to the country and don't fit in and are missing so much of what they like about the city. At least one finds romance, or maybe they all do.

And while I won't say how much this movie follows the formula, it's not that different from other movies like it. The female leads are relatively likable. The potential romantic partner for the star is pleasant and I assume good looking. Another potential romantic partner is kind of a loser but adorable.

And then this movie departs from the usual formula by making one of the women a lesbian. Her possible love is somewhat hard to get used to but she is pretty much what one might expect in a place like this: tough, serious, intelligent, but eventually likable. She isn't going to win the average person over immediately.

The standout character to me is the high powered lawyer, who seems to be the voice of reason and the one who can get things done. Sure, she has to get used to a quieter lifestyle (I won't say if she goes back to the city), but she is capable of doing it. Even if she's hungry because there's not much a vegan can eat.

It's not as funny as most rom-coms but entertaining in its way. And there are obstacles to all the relationships which must be overcome. Plus the big event that had to be canceled but might be brought back.

The scenery is magnificent. I doubt it's really Montana given that so much is done in Canada these days, but Alberta is probably the same.

And there's good country music too, at times. The line dancing is very well done, and there is a band playing toward the end.

Is it family friendly? Not quite, but I think the TV-14 V-chip rating is overdoing it. There is some naughty talk but nothing too bad, and a couple in bed together.

If you already like these formula movies, you should like it. And if not, maybe the lesbian storyline will appeal to you. And if you're not already a romcom fan, I can't say for sure this is where to start.

Anna Paquin is regarded as one of the great child actors, and she delivered here. While Amy had an attitude, what child wouldn't in her situation? But her determination is what it took to accomplish something amazing. Whether believable or not, Amy can do more than one would expect from someone her age. And it's a pleasure to watch as the whole world falls in love with Amy and her efforts. I wish it had been real, and I thought it really did happen, but at the end we are told it is based on real events but that the characters are fictional.

Jeff Daniels is good as the father. He has a responsibility he wasn't prepared for, and he has to struggle, but no matter what, Thomas cares for Amy and will do anything for her. I do wonder where he got the money to live on. Because there is only one scene that appears to explain this.

Terry Kinney is appealing as the uncle, but I don't seem to recall what someone's review called his standout scene, where he is asking for gasoline. Maybe this scene was cut to make the movie fit in the time allotted on broadcast TV.

Dana Delany didn't quite live up to her reputation, but her character was appealing, and she stood out in a scene where she comforted an upset Amy. Her hair also looked better there than in the rest of the movie (see the imdb photo), .

Jeremy Ratchford is an effective villain. He doesn't intend to be, but there are rules which must be followed and it is his job to enforce them.

I didn't have to be told that was the moon landing vehicle. Later we found out what I assumed. A replica, of course, but it looked good.

I thought more time should have been spent at school. Was Amy even going to school all this time? She hated it. But in one scene it looks like she had made friends, and we didn't get to see it happen or get to know the girls.

There is a clear message that makes it appear we shouldn't kill and eat animals, but that really just applies to geese. I'm not going to change what I eat. And the message is also anti-development, making it clear the environment must be preserved where possible. There is the obligatory rich man who is frustrated at protests.

The scenery was amazing, both in Canada and in what was supposed to be North Carolina.

And the geese! The babies were so cute and played their parts so well, assuming they were real. The hatching sure seemed realistic but the birds looked so different. It's not clear how long the process of training the geese lasted, but it sure looks like they grew up fast. And the geese did so well as adults. The beauty of their flight is so effectively captured.

Nothing was easy, but sometimes things looked easier than the should have been. But obstacles stood in the way of the ultimate goal and had to be overcome.

Is it appropriate for families? A couple of scenes were a little concerning but more permissive parents should find the movie just fine. I thought I might have heard one curse word. The car wreck that starts the movie is a little disturbing. And while it is not explicitly stated (at least I don't recall it), if a woman lives with a man, even part time, there is an assumption.

It was a fine job all around.