From the spectacular vocals of Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba and Ariana Grande’s Glinda to the spellbinding visuals that make up The Land of Oz, “Wicked” awed me from the very beginning.
Directed by Jon M. Chu, the movie carries the similar sparkle and charm of his previous works, most notably “Crazy Rich Asians.” As the movie stretched onward, I found myself losing track of time and getting immersed in the story, captivated by each of the characters’ personal journeys.
The decision to split the popular Broadway story of “Wicked” into two movies — set before and after Dorothy’s arrival in Oz — was a smart one, as “Wicked” takes its extended time and uses it well, fleshing out each character and showing how they interact with one another.
Glinda and Elphaba loathe one another at first, developing an understandable and somewhat amusing rivalry. This culminates in Glinda and her friends’ attempt to humiliate Elphaba, which Elphaba herself takes as a false act of goodwill.
Eventually, the two are able to set aside their differences and develop a complicated relationship that leads them down the yellow brick road to exposing the wickedness behind Oz’s mystical curtain.
Both Erivo and Grande allow their theatrical talents to shine throughout the nearly three-hour runtime of the movie, belting out memorable ballads such as “What is this Feeling?,” “The Wizard and I,” and the ever-beloved “Defying Gravity.”
Grande’s version of the “good witch” Glinda is appropriately bubbly and funny, creating the image of someone who wholeheartedly believes she is the standard for all that is good. However, there is also a hidden depth to the character that shines through as well, as seen in her genuine acceptance and eventual care for Elphaba.
Similarly, the future “Wicked Witch of the West” is given a compelling personality and arc through Erivo’s acting. The main question at the center of “Wicked” remains: Are people born wicked, or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?
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Throughout the film, Elphaba Thropp must face the hatred of those around her due to the green hue of her skin — a trademark of Oz’s original wicked witch. The scorn she faced could have driven her to become evil within the first few minutes of the film. Yet, there is goodness in Elphaba, as shown through the concern she holds for her sister Nessarose and the desire she holds to change her world for the better.
I was captivated by Elphaba’s story and was drawn in by the various facets of her character and the relationships she had with others — particularly her rival-turned-friend Glinda.
Each stage of the two witches’ relationship is given space to shine, and their relationship feels realistic in the way it evolves, so that the ending notes of “Defying Gravity” give the audience something to ponder before the second part’s release.
The characters’ connections to their “Wizard of Oz” counterparts is also something that is subtly hinted at in the film, allowing “Wicked” to feel like its own thing while also being an homage to the famous story.
Audiences get to sit back and enjoy the stories and personalities of characters such as the carefree Fiyero, lovestruck Nessarose, and playful Boq, all of whom have their own passions and goals.
The plight of the various talking animal characters in the story was another aspect of it that caused me to care for Elphaba’s journey. Elphaba’s interactions with goat professor Dr. Dillamond showcase both her genuinely good intentions and the connections she’s capable of building with others.
Her development here is both endearing and makes sense in the large context of her story — as Elphaba herself was raised by a bear nursemaid.
The questions left surrounding the worries of the animals, the role of the Wizard of Oz, and the relationship between Glinda and Elphaba promise a cinematic, emotional, and musically spectacular second act.