Did you ever want to watch a fever dream of a jukebox musical inspired by the plot of William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer’s Night Dream”? Probably not. But in case you did, check out “Strange Magic”!
“Strange Magic” is a 2015 film by Lucasfilm and, as I just noted, is a jukebox musical inspired by “A Midsummer’s Night Dream.” However, it is loosely based on the play. Very loosely.
As always, spoiler warning.
The plot of the film is as follows: Our primary protagonist, Marianne, is the princess of the Fairy Kingdom and heir to the throne. She is to marry the very charming Roland. However, on the day of their wedding, she catches him making out with another fairy! She calls off the wedding (obviously, what else would she do?). He tries to win her back and fails miserably.
While all of this is going on, Sunny, a little elf, is in love with Dawn — Marianne’s sister — and in order to win her over he goes to the Sugar Plum Fairy (voiced by Kristin Chenoweth) and asks her to make a love potion. She does so and it gets out of hand; Dawn accidentally gets hit by the love potion but instead falls in love with the Bog King — the antagonist who is obviously super against love — conveniently, like Marianne is.
Oh, also Roland is now trying to get with Dawn… awkward. Anyway, the Bog King imprisons Dawn because she is so obnoxious. Marianne tries to go and rescue her from this monster of a man (who looks like he smokes about four packs of cigarettes in one day). In the end, Marianne and the Bog King fall in love.
Did I mention that it was loosely inspired by “A Midsummer’s Night Dream”?
Regardless, that is a general and pretty rough outline. There is so much more intertwined within the plot that I could probably fill up all of pillbox with just one review about the film — especially since it sounds like some man on psychedelics formulated this absurd story. Actually, that might’ve been what happened.
While the plot may seem a little crazy, that was not even the half of it. You know how most jukebox musicals make sense and their music kind of connects together somehow. Nope, not in “Strange Magic.” First of all, we have a variety of different songs that when we hold them side-by-side do not make any sense besides the fact that they are all songs.
First up, we have “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis. Alright, I can get behind this. Then we go into “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley — uh, okay, where are we going with this? Just wait. Then we get to a mash-up of “C’mon Marianne” by L. Russell Brown and Bloodworth with “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” by Kelly Clarkson. I wish you could’ve seen my face. I’m sorry — what? Why? How?
Side note: Did they literally name Marianne’s character just to use the song “C’mon Marianne”?
I think my favorite song of the entire film was sung by Dawn after she was hit with the love potion: “I Can’t Help Myself.” However, she only sings the same three lyrics over and over and over again. Truthfully, if I was the Bog Monster, I would probably put her in prison, too.
You know how most children’s films have their inappropriate jokes and references for the adults in the audience? Well… this one takes it to a whole new level. I mean seriously, my jaw was on the floor. First off, as Roland is singing “C’mon Marianne” to Marianne, him and all of his back up dancers pantomime hanging themselves with nooses. Wow. That’s not even the worst of it. Immediately after, as Marianne forces him to leave, he goes “Don’t bruise the jewels” as he grabs his — you know.
Speaking of Roland, this man is very much a character. He really only was dating Marianne to be in charge of the largest army in the Fairy Kingdom. He is essentially just the epitome of a himbo. There is nothing else to it.
And Dawn! Dawn is portrayed as a young teenage girl, but she is in love with literally everybody. And I mean everybody. She tries to date Roland, several knights, the Bog King… need I continue? It was really strange and just entirely uncomfortable considering that she was reminiscent of a 14-year-old.
Then you have Marianne and the Bog King, essentially playing right into the trope that these two despise love but somehow fall in love with one another. Weird, but it kinda works – except for the fact that he is like a literal monster made of wood with rotting teeth and a decomposing body. Then you have Marianne, who is pretty normal, except for the fact that she is a fairy. That’s besides the point.
This movie was so absurd that I cannot believe I spent one hour and 39 minutes watching it. One hour and 39 minutes that I will never get back. Regardless, it was hysterical and for sure a movie I will never forget, no matter how hard I try.
Do I recommend “Strange Magic”? Yes. 100 percent. Just don’t expect much.
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