Wicked

Image credit: kinocheck.com

It was inevitable that Wicked was going to made into a musical film, right? The Disney-fied adaptation of Gregory Maguire’s dark take on the witches of Oz that took Broadway by storm and catapulted Idina Menzel into the centre of the universe lends itself sooo completely to cinematic adaption.

Of course, it’s always risky taking on a challenge like this. Adapting something that is so strongly beloved by a wide and vocal audience and transforming it into a new medium. I’m pretty sure there is an unwritten yet universally established law that if the film adaption of Wicked went south, then there would be sanctified lynch mobs with torches and all manner of sharp utensils on the hunt for all involved.

Thankfully, for everyone involved in the production of Wicked, this is not the case. The film has been received very warmly, spawning a whole new wave of fans of the musical.

Young, rich, and popular Galinda (Ariana Grande) has come to Shiz University with dreams of becoming a great sorceress. But her aspirations are shunned when Elphaba Thropp, a wallflower who was born with green skin catches the attention of Madame Morrible and is given the privilege of personal tutelage. The two girls then find themselves roommates and rivals, until their actions at a party changes their opinions of one another and they decide to become friends. This unlikely friendship is then put to the test when Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) is invited to the Emerald City to visit the Great and Powerful Wizard of Oz.

Covering the first half of the musical that establishes the rival-turned-friendship between the two witches, the film is a bright and glittering croquembouche made up of incredible set design, costume design, makeup, and special effects. Everything is big and bold and bright – a very pretty reimagining of Frank L. Baum’s wonderful world of Oz. But while it brings a classic setting into a modern age, it does not leave the older members of the audience behind. There are a number of sweet and lovely references to The Wizard of Oz, including the original font for the opening title and a very sweet little shadow play from Jeff Goldblum.

The underlying drama of the story, a narrative of racism and tyranny, does get shoved into the backseat of the film, but to be fair this also happened on stage and I can only assume that part 2 of Wicked will cram everything in up to the end – like the last Harry Potter film.

Image credit: pitchfork.com

I enjoyed this movie a lot more than I thought I was going to, but I definitely do not hold any strong opinions of its brilliance or beauty. It was fine, it’s a good adaptation of the Broadway musical, and yes the performances are all very good. Cynthia and Ariana’s praise is literally being sung everywhere so there’s really not much point in my adding to it. I’ve heard complaints that it’s still too long considering that not a lot happens and it’s only half of the story, but I honestly didn’t notice the length so that argument is for you to make up your own mind about.

Wicked is a very visual film. It’s a feast, there’s no other way to say it, and it certainly does deliver the fun and magic of the Broadway musical. The transition from stage to screen has worked very well and everyone involved has been rightly celebrated. While it’s not a film that I can see myself rushing to watch again any time soon, it’s worth the watch if you have the time and the interest.

Director: Jon M. Chu (2024)

Cast: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Ethan Slater, Jonathan Bailey, Marissa Bode, Peter Dinklage, Andy Nyman, Bowen Yang, Bronwyn James, Michelle Yeoh & Jeff Goldblum