Wicked hits mostly high notes in a dazzling theatrical adaptation that's sure to delight fans of the Broadway show and newcomers alike. The Wizard of Oz prequel delivers a revisionist take on the classic film and novel with superb casting and spectacular production design. Stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande (credited in the film with her full name, Ariana Grande-Butera) have fantastic chemistry while belting out soaring vocals in eye-popping musical numbers. The paper-thin plot gets pulled like narrative taffy for a bladder-bursting two hours and forty-one minutes. That's longer than the original stage show and quite a stretch considering this film is just the first of a two-part story.
As the film begins, the citizens of Oz celebrate the demise of the feared Wicked Witch of the West. Glinda (Grande), the Good Witch of the North, a resplendent blonde in a pink dress and tiara, arrives in Munchkinland to thunderous applause. She pops her traveling bubble while an effigy of Oz's feared enemy burns. Everyone dances with glee until a munchkin quiets the crowd with an awkward question to Glinda. Wasn't the Wicked Witch once her best friend? How could she associate with such a vile monster?
A flashback sequence follows with a salacious dalliance that results in the birth of Elphaba Thropp, the future Witch of the West. Frexspar Thropp, the Governor of Munchkinland, recoils in horror and disgust at the sight of his green-skinned baby girl. Young Elphaba grows up scorned, bullied, and a source of embarrassment because of her peculiar skin color. But she does exhibit significant magical power when defending her wheelchair-bound younger sister, Nessa.
Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande on a Collision Course of Destiny
Wicked adapts the Broadway musical into a two-part film, following the unlikely friendship between Elphaba, born with green skin, and Glinda, a popular aristocrat, in the Land of Oz. As they navigate their contrasting paths, they evolve into Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
- Release Date
- November 22, 2024
- Cast
- Cynthia Erivo , Ariana Grande , Michelle Yeoh , Jeff Goldblum , Jonathan Bailey , Ethan Slater , Marissa Bode , Bowen Yang , Bronwyn James , Keala Settle , Peter Dinklage , Aaron Teoh , Grecia De la Paz , Colin Michael Carmichael , Adam James , Andy Nyman , Courtney Mae-Briggs , Sharon D. Clarke , Jenna Boyd
- Runtime
- 160 Minutes
- Writers
- Gregory Maguire , Winnie Holzman , Dana Fox , L. Frank Baum
- Studio
- Distributor(s)
- Universal Pictures
- Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo have wonderful chemistry together and their characters' friendship is beautifully developed and portrayed.
- The production design, dance choreography, and show-stopping musical numbers are phenomenal.
- The movie is just too long, and feels like it's stuffed with filler only as a cash grab to create two separate movies. Some audiences will surely get bored halfway through.
Years later, Elphaba (Erivo) accompanies Nessa (Marissa Bode) to her orientation at the esteemed Shiz University. All the other incoming students fawn over Galinda (Grande) — not Glinda yet — while gawking at the green teen and her disabled sister. Elphaba doesn't take their mocking lightly. Her powerful outburst gets the attention of Headmistress Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh). She recognizes magical prowess and immediately takes Elphaba as her apprentice, much to Galinda and Nessa's dismay.
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If all of this sounds like a combination of Mean Girls and Harry Potter, that's essentially what the first act of Wicked is. Galinda, who hilariously flips her golden tresses for attention, isn't happy to be sharing her "single suite" with the freaky green girl. Her spoiled and pampered demeanor gets worse as Morrible focuses entirely on Elphaba's magical tutelage, while the poor girl suffers escalating taunts and mistreatment for simply looking different. A hunky infusion changes the social dynamics at Shiz when the naughty and charming Prince Fiyero Tigelaar (Jonathan Bailey) arrives to quickened pulses and bated breath.
A Beautifully Depicted Friendship in Wicked
Acceptance, discrimination, and understanding are the film's primary themes. Elphaba isn't a villain in any sense. She's spent her entire life downtrodden and misunderstood because of her skin color; the thematic connection to racism is obvious. Galinda learns this lesson after witnessing Elphaba's many acts of kindness. Her own vanity and arrogance come into focus as the weird green girl becomes less annoying and, gasp, someone to be admired. Elphaba and Galinda overcome their boundaries and form a loving bond. The deep friendship that develops between them is absolutely beautiful to behold.
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Elphaba and Galinda have winning comical interactions as their relationship grows. Galinda giving Elphaba a makeover will have audiences rolling in the aisles. A tear or two may also be shed when Galinda realizes how badly Elphaba has been treated. Elphaba finally feels warmth, tenderness, and a sense of belonging. Wicked nails these pivotal moments of heart and humor.
Director Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights) balances the film's big-budget splendor with Erivo and Grande's incredible talent. Their complex singing and dancing routines are magnificent and singularly worth the price of admission. An amazing scene inside a library with rotating bookshelves truly impresses. Both actresses reach stunning alto octaves while they leap and twirl in high heels, for whatever reason (they're basically wearing lifts while doing intricate and difficult choreography). Chu keeps them at eye-level, so the towering background sets never lose their imposing grandeur.
Wicked's Plot Is Stretched Longer Than Yellow Brick Road
Wicked unfortunately loses luster after the characters become besties. The development that tars Elphaba as evil and Oz's most wanted takes a long time to come, and it's a slog to get there. This probably isn't Chu's fault, as the play needed lots of plot filler to be split into two features. There is an obvious cash grab here to milk the box office for as much money as possible. Part One of Wicked could have easily been at least a half hour shorter.
Events leading up to the climax needed to be more substantive. Die-hard fans who loved every minute of the show probably won't have an issue, but a degree of boredom will set in for others as a simple and straightforward plot meanders. That said, the overall acting and music are undoubtedly glorious and a must-see for anyone who likes musicals. Fans walking out of the theater will be champing at the bit for the next film. Let's just hope it's shorter. Wicked is a production of Universal Pictures and Marc Platt Productions. It will be released theatrically on November 22nd from Universal Pictures.
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