Wicked Review

Directed By: Jon M. Chu
Written By: Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox; Based on the musical stage play with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Winnie Holzman; From the novel by Gregory Maguire
Runtime: 160 minutes
MPA Rating: Rated PG for some scary action, thematic material and brief suggestive material.

Cynthia Erivo – Elphaba Thropp
Ariana Grande – Galinda Upland
Michelle Yeoh – Madame Morrible
Jonathan Bailey – Fiyero Tigelaar
Marissa Bode – Nessarose Thropp
Peter Dinklage – Doctor Dillamond
Ethan Slater – Boq Woodsman
Andy Nyman – Frexspar Thropp
Jeff Goldblum – The Wizard of Oz
Bowen Yang – Pfannee
Bronwyn James – ShenShen
Courtney-Mae Briggs – Mrs. Thropp
Sharon D. Clarke – Dulcibear

The iconic Broadway musical Wicked finally makes the transition to the big screen with the first part of a two-part motion picture. For clarification, The theatrical stage adaptation comes from Gregory Maguire’s original novel of the same name, a revisionist take on L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Wicked inverts the classic children’s novel, offering a tale from the perspective of the villainous Wicked Witch of the West, dubbed here as Elphaba Thropp. With the monumental task of pleasing both musical diehards and modern cinema-goers, filmmaker Jon M. Chu successfully threads the needle, creating a satisfying experience that combines the whimsical energy of a live musical performance while taking advantage of the cinematic format.

One advantage of Wicked, in contrast to other recent film adaptations of popular Broadway musicals, is its pacing. Rather than trying to stuff the entirety of Wicked into a single film, Chu wisely opts to split the play into two separate films, with the new movie serving as Wicked, Part One, as the film’s opening title card points out. The complete Wicked cinematic experience will be separated into two parts, much like the original play features two acts. The benefit of the two-act structure allows Part One to take its time, fully developing its lead characters, Elphaba Thropp (Erivo) and Galinda Upland (Grande), the mages destined to become The Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, the Good Witch of the North in The Wizard of Oz. Along with its exceptional lead characters, Chu provides incredible immersion in depicting and visualizing the whimsical, fantastical realm of Oz.

Credit to lead performers Erivo and Grande, as they defy all expectations in their respective roles as Erivo and Grande, especially in Grande’s case. Erivo and Grande succeed in capturing the effervescence of their vibrant characters, and they handle the musical and lyrical elements with aplomb. Erivo brings enduring dignity and strength to Elphaba, but she’s not afraid to showcase Elphaba’s sadness and vulnerability. Galinda is a challenging role since she represents the comedic side of the magical duo, but Grande also hits the dramatic moments. One of the film’s most wonderfully intimate scenes shows Elphaba dancing and getting ridiculed by her Shiz University classmates during a sequence at the Ozdust Ballroom. It’s an important scene where Galinda finally recognizes the trauma she’s been inflicting on her roommate, Elphaba, ultimately sparking their fateful friendship. Grande holds her own with the poignant, emotional moments. Both actors share a believable chemistry with their lead characters, a crucial element for the story of Wicked.

All the actors throughout the cast disappear into their roles, save for two examples: Michelle Yeoh, as Madame Morrible; and Jeff Goldblum, as the legendary Wizard of Oz. It’s not that their acting is subpar, but their performances and dialogue lack a natural style that fits into the Ozian style and world. Their performances are not bad, but they sometimes break from the film’s relatively successful sense of immersion.

The acting is splendid, especially during musical numbers. Wicked is incredibly shot and looks visually gorgeous. Production designer Nathan Crowley performs exemplary work fleshing out the world of Oz to the most minute details, conceptualizing how the intelligent animals would function as professors at Shiz University or as workers at the Ozdust Ballroom. Cinematographer Alice Brooks showcases the musical numbers with a dynamic energy, while also highlighting the elaborate, practical sets where the songs take place. The experience of Wicked feels transportive and immersive. While Chu presents a world with intelligent, talking animals with computer-generated imagery, the visual effects serve the film by enhancing the story, rather than creating distractions that break the immersion.

The film runs long at over two-and-a-half hours. At the same time, the subplot regarding the character of Doctor Dillamond (Dinklage) plays out in an underdeveloped manner, but that’s one of the aspects that suffers from the two-act structure. In fairness, various subplots from Part One won’t come to fruition until Wicked Part Two hits theaters later next year. Hopefully, Chu and his cast end things on a high note because Part One set a high bar. The good news is that Wicked Part One ends on a note of excitement for the conclusion.

8.5

The final score: review Very Good

The 411

Jon M. Chu delivers a vibrant, triumphant musical adaptation with Wicked. The film version successfully captures the original Broadway musical's whimsical energy, while also exceptionally translating and enhancing the story, making full use of the cinematic format, providing a resonant intimacy and sadness during its quiet moments. Erivo and Grande deliver amazing performances in their respective roles as Elphaba and Galinda, capturing their characters' many facets and singing their hearts out. In terms of musical adaptations, Wicked exceeds all expectations.