After more than a decade of development, the film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical Wicked has finally made its way to the big screen with filmmaker Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians) at the helm. The heartfelt production, starring pop star Ariana Grande and British thespian Cynthia Erivo, tells a delightful story about the complexities of sisterhood and public perception, tied together with riveting musical numbers that bring out the best of the two performers. With Chu’s movie adaptation being split into two parts, the lengthy 2-hour-and-40-minute runtime of this first half can be especially felt during the second act. But when it picks up the pace in the final stretch, Wicked compensates with an incredibly emotional cliffhanger.
Wicked centers on Elphaba Thropp (Cynthia Erivo), a magic-wielding introvert who’s shunned in the fantastical land of Oz due to her green skin, and her evolving relationship with Galinda Upland (Ariana Grande), an aspiring sorceress from “Shiz University” who’s notably self-centered. Although Elphaba was never meant to be enrolled in the prestigious school for Oz’s young adults, a series of chaotic incidents make her presence known to the powerful Headmistress, Madame Morrible (Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh). It’s under Morrible’s guidance in her special seminar that Elphaba can finally learn to control the magical abilities that she was mysteriously gifted with. The only problem is that Morrible houses Elphaba and Galinda together, and their personalities couldn’t be more opposite from each other.
Ever since Universal Pictures announced that Ariana Grande would be playing Galinda, aka Glinda the Good Witch of the North in Oz lore, it seems like her casting has been all the general public has been talking about in the lead-up to Wicked. However, it’s Cynthia Erivo who truly steals the show. Musical numbers such as “The Wizard and I” and “I’m Not That Girl” allow Erivo’s Elphaba to get up close and personal with the audience. Having first made the jump from theater to film in 2018’s Widows, with other notable credits including 2019’s Harriet and 2022’s live-action Pinocchio, it’s safe to assume that Erivo has guaranteed herself an exciting future on the big screen with this powerhouse performance.
Written by Dana Fox (Cruella, The Lost City) and playwright Winnie Holzman, who famously penned the original book for the Wicked musical, Jon M. Chu’s adaptation brilliantly captures subtle nuances of Elphaba and Galinda’s rivals-turned-friends dynamic. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are given a plethora of hefty material to work with, and they make the most out of it. Every choice in Erivo’s performance, from her body language to her vocalizations, reveals a brewing intensity in Elphaba that is so satisfying to see fully unleashed in the third act. For Ms. Grande, it would have been very easy for the pop queen to let her singing capabilities carry the performance. But she opts for a greater challenge.
Ariana Grande doesn’t disappoint as Galinda whatsoever. Perhaps one of the biggest fears from Wicked fans going into this movie, Galinda’s character and role in Elphaba’s journey to being hated as the Wicked Witch of the West could be easily mistruded in the wrong hands. Despite her endless charm and sharp looks, the audience is never supposed to root for Galinda, who tragically becomes an antagonistic force in Elphaba’s narrative. But thanks to Grande’s layered take on the Good Witch, it’s easy to understand her perspective and motivations. Grande’s first leading role on the big screen is undeniably her best acting showcase thus far, and Galinda’s most emotional character work is still coming in the second half of this story.
Musical numbers such as “What Is This Feeling?” and “Dancing Through Life” feature giant whimsical set pieces, yet none of them would work without the heart at the core of Galinda and Elphaba’s relationship. Additionally, the extended runtime has to be mentioned here because it’s evident that Wicked was split into two parts in order to make these grand musical numbers breathe. The dialogue that introduces iconic songs, like “Popular” and “Defying Gravity,” is present in this adaptation, allowing fans of the Broadway show to get excited with the accurate cues. Two hours and forty minutes may sound tiring, especially for a “Part One.” While Wicked does occasionally slow down, it thankfully never feels like a complete chore.
One crucial aspect that does bring Wicked down, though, is the lighting and color grading. Massive, beautiful sets were constructed to bring Galinda and Elphaba’s story to life, as seen in the behind-the-scenes promotion for the film. Frankly, it’s kind of insulting to see a $145 million blockbuster-level production set in the world of The Wizard of Oz seemingly forget about the Technicolor magic that made that movie not only unforgettable but also historic. During certain musical numbers, the main actors’ faces aren’t even lit properly as they sing, making the impressive production design look significantly cheaper than it actually is. Muted colors are one thing, but obstructing actors’ faces during musical sequences is another level of poor decision-making.
While the visuals often lack the Technicolor magic of Oz, director Jon M. Chu does redeem himself in terms of the musical choreography and staging. After he missed the mark with his flawed adaptation of In the Heights, Chu uses the far-reaching scale of Wicked to his favor, shedding light on the unforeseen corners of Oz. From the opening musical number “No One Mourns the Wicked,” viewers are made aware that this filmmaker is ready to utilize the expansive locales of Oz in a way that can’t be done on stage. Moreover, Chu’s strongest achievement is finding just the right balance of keeping a gripping, dramatic conflict between the leads without losing any of the musical’s signature whimsy and wonder.
It’s hard to imagine an adaptation of Wicked with a better supporting cast. The always-great Jeff Goldblum steals the spotlight as the Wizard, the actor bringing his charismatic style and expressions to a character steeped in cinema history. What should feel obvious and uninspired from Goldblum turns out to be a surprisingly devious performance. Bridgerton‘s Jonathan Bailey perfectly portrays fellow Shiz student and Winkie prince, Fiyero Tigelaar, a charmer desired by both Elphaba and Galinda who quickly realizes he has a more complicated place in this story. Meanwhile, Michelle Yeoh gets to flaunt cunning range as Madame Morrible. Excitingly, Yeoh’s depiction of the mentor is quite different from past portrayals, adding to this version of Wicked‘s unique edge.
With deeply emotional performances, immersive musical numbers, and a faithful manner of bringing the stage show to the screen, Jon M. Chu’s Wicked will find no problem in cementing itself as one of the brightest highlights of the holiday movie season. Chu gives Universal Pictures a cinematic triumph worthy of multiple rewatches. Yes, this is only the first part, and important supporting characters like Ethan Slater’s Boq Woodsman and Marissa Bode’s Nessarose Thropp have yet to make a deep impression. Still, audiences will be left extremely impatient for the arrival of Wicked Part 2 next year. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande establish themselves as true movie stars, and they have far more to show the world.
More than two decades after original lyricist/composer Stephen Schwartz and playwright Winnie Holzman debuted Wicked on stage, this film adaptation spectacularly puts this rich tale back at the center of pop culture, right where it deserves to be.
Wicked hits theaters on November 22!
Release Date: November 22, 2024.
Directed by Jon M. Chu.
Screenplay by Winnie Holzman & Dana Fox.
Based on Wicked the musical by Stephen Schwartz & Winnie Holzman, Wicked the novel by Gregory Maguire.
Produced by Marc Platt & David Stone.
Executive Producers: Winnie Holzman, Dana Fox, , Jared LeBoff, & David Nicksay.
Main Cast: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande-Butera, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, Bowen Yang, Bronwyn James, Peter Dinklage, Keala Settle, Cesily Collette Taylor, Karis Musongole, Adam James, Alice Fearn, Andy Nyman, Courtney-Mae Briggs, & Sharon D. Clarke.
Cinematographer: Alice Brooks.
Composers: John Powell & Stephen Schwartz.
Production Companies: Universal Pictures & Marc Platt Productions.
Distributor: Universal Pictures.
Runtime: 160 minutes.
Rated PG.
