Wicked: Part I (2024) Universal/Musical-Fantasy RT: 160 minutes Rated PG (some scary action, thematic material, brief suggestive material) Director: Jon M. Chu Screenplay: Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox Music: John Powell and Stephen Schwartz Cinematography: Alice Brooks Release date: November 21, 2024 (US) Cast: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, Peter Dinklage, Bowen Yang, Bronwyn James, Keala Settle, Andy Nyman, Courtney-Mae Briggs.
Rating: ***
The Broadway sensation Wicked finally makes the leap to the big screen in this playful adaptation from director Jon M. Chu (In the Heights). As I’m sure you already know, it’s only the first act of the Tony-winning stage musical (hence the on-screen title Wicked: Part I). The second part is due in cinemas next November. That is, if it doesn’t get delayed for some reason.
It will come as no surprise to anybody who knows me that I didn’t see the play. I don’t get to the theater as much as I should. Blame it on parents who didn’t concern themselves with my artistic development. On the other hand, maybe it’s a good thing I didn’t see the original show. I’d probably be sitting there drawing comparisons instead of paying attention to the film. I’m sure I’ll be hearing how the movie measures up to the play from my theater-loving friends in the days to come. As of this writing, I haven’t heard anything negative.
Me, I like Wicked. It’s an enjoyable take on a story that has delighted and frightened generations of kids. Adapted from the 1995 Gregory Maguire novel, it’s actually a prequel to The Wizard of Oz. It tells the backstory of The Wicked Witch of the West and how she became the most feared villain in the land of Oz.
It’s not easy being green. Elphaba Thropp (Erivo, Harriet) can tell you that. She was born with green skin. All her life, she’s been rejected. Even her own father (Nyman, Judy) doesn’t like her. She gets a chance at a fresh start when she’s invited to attend Shiz University alongside her paraplegic sister Nessarose (Bode). She’s assigned to share a room with shallow, spoiled Galinda Upland (pop singer Grande), the resident mean girl who resents the intrusion. She, along with the rest of the student body, makes sure Elphaba knows she doesn’t belong.
Not everybody resents Elphaba’s presence. Dean of Sorcery Madame Morrible (Yeoh, Everything Everywhere All at Once) takes her under her wing and tutors her privately. This makes Galinda extremely jealous; she’s not used to not getting her way. There’s also a guy between them, Prince Fiyero (Bailey, Bridgerton). He’s intrigued by Elphaba, but Galinda has her sights set on him. Eventually, the two girls become friends.
I don’t think I have to tell you too much about Wicked. A lot of people saw the play and loved it. They know the story and songs by heart. AMC (the theater chain) had the foresight to create a cheeky PSA ad warning audiences not to sing during the movie. Good on them! I paid to hear Erivo and Grande sing, not a bunch of overgrown theater camp kids.
I’m always cautiously optimistic when it comes to film adaptations of hit Broadway shows. I’ve seen some good ones (Dreamgirls, Little Shop of Horrors) and some terrible ones (Cats, The Wiz). There are a few I personally enjoyed like A Chorus Line and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. The point is I go in hoping for the best, but steeling myself for a disaster. Thankfully, Wicked is one of the good ones. It’s a colorful, entertaining musical-fantasy with a bright color palette and great singing from its two leads. I’ll grant that some of the CGI is iffy and the storyline is disjointed, especially when it comes to the subplot about the civil rights of talking animals in Oz. There are those who would prefer them not to speak and will go to awful lengths to achieve this end. Of course, Elphaba is pro-animal. It’s the only time Wicked doesn’t soar.
I absolutely loved Erivo and Grande as Elphaba and Galinda who changes her name to Glinda in solidarity of the goat professor (voiced by Elf’s angry elf Dinklage) fired because of the discriminatory new laws regarding talking animals. They both have amazing singing voices. I’m not familiar with the play’s songbook, but I particularly enjoyed “The Wizard and I” (Erivo), “Popular” (Grande) and the visually impressive “Dancing Through Life” in the school library. Of course, who doesn’t love the “Defying Gravity” finale?
Not only is the actresses’ singing on point, their performances are fantastic. Erivo elicits sympathy for a character traditionally seen as scary while Grande perfectly embodies the perceived perfection of the snobby popular girl. Yeoh is terrific as Morrible as is Jeff Goldblum (The Fly) as the Wizard, the biggest con artist in Oz. Bode, disabled in real life, makes an astonishingly wonderful debut as the little sister embarrassed by her older sibling. SNL’s Bowen Yang is humorously snarky as one of Glinda’s sycophants.
Some will no doubt be put off by the film’s running time, 160 minutes. It made me wonder how long the stage show is. It turns out it’s 2 hours and 45 minutes including the 15-minute intermission between acts. They added a lot to the movie apparently. The funny thing is Wicked doesn’t actually feel overlong. Sure, it drags a little here and there, but it’s never not in motion. There’s always something cool to look at. The bottom line is I like Wicked the movie. It’s good and I have no doubt it will be a hit. I’m really looking forward to seeing Act II next year.
