My mom is the biggest Wizard of Oz fan I know. She has always been really into it and collected all sorts of memorabilia from the movie. I distinctly remember making a stop at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in the 90s because they had a large Wizard of Oz display in the lobby—basically just to see that. She loves the movie so much that she made us watch it countless times, but I always found it boring. It wasn’t just the black and white scenes; I just couldn’t get into it. So, I wasn’t sure what I would think about Wicked. My daughter really wanted to see it, so I took her, not knowing what to expect. Within minutes of the film starting, I knew—this isn’t my mom’s Wizard of Oz.
Wicked is a film based on the Broadway musical, which in turn is based on the book by Gregory Maguire. The musical typically runs about 2 hours and 45 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission. The movie has a runtime of 2 hours and 40 minutes, without an intermission, and it’s only part one of two. So, I assume it goes deeper than the musical production does. Full disclosure—I have only seen the movie. I have not seen the stage show or read the book, so I can’t compare. I can only share my thoughts on the movie.
Wicked follows the story of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), who is green and is likely better known as the Wicked Witch of the West. We see her birth (yep, she’s green from birth), glimpses of her childhood years (still green), and how she ends up attending Shiz University and staying with young aspiring sorceress Galinda (Ariana Grande). While at Shiz, the two become friends. Elphaba helps Galinda get the sorceress training she desires, while Galinda helps Elphaba become popular. Eventually, due to Elphaba’s unique magical powers, she is summoned to the City of Oz to meet the Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum). In the process, she is branded as a villain, a wicked witch. And that’s the end of part one.
Visually, this film was stunning. Every detail of Oz was amazing. The Wizard of Oz, like many movies of its time, was filmed entirely on set, making it feel artificial. However, the filmmakers behind Wicked also relied heavily on sets and practical effects rather than CGI, but here Oz felt more real, more lived-in, and more alive. The use of color is also fantastic. Everything is arranged so that Elphaba’s green skin really stands out against the background, while Galinda’s pink hues blend more with everything around her. The Emerald City was breathtaking; it’s hard to describe because, on one hand, everything felt more authentic, but on the other hand, it still felt artificial, as if not everything is as it seems—this was intentional and worked well.
The casting is phenomenal. For this movie to succeed, they had to nail the roles of Elphaba and Galinda, and in my opinion, they got it right, especially with Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. She embodies the character with great poise and dignity. I’m not usually a fan of villain origin stories, but Erivo’s Elphaba drew me in immediately; I could easily see her as the protagonist. Plus, she nails every song she sings—“Defying Gravity” gave me chills, goosebumps, and all the feels. Grande as Galinda is fantastic; we already know she can sing, but here she fully embraces her role and captivates with her performance, providing a great contrast to Erivo’s Elphaba. Jeff Goldblum is, well, Jeff Goldblum, and his portrayal of the Wizard works very well. The other characters are also well cast.
The music, of course, is fantastic, moving, and powerful. Songs like “Popular” and “Defying Gravity” easily get stuck in your head, and that’s perfectly fine because you don’t want them to leave. The score is also moving and fits flawlessly with the story being told. When you combine the visuals, story, performances, and music, it all blends together into a nearly perfect recipe. Due to the film’s length, there are some moments where the story lags a bit, but for me, this was a minor issue. The ending, with Elphaba on her broom, was simply amazing. Much of it was done using practical effects—like having her in a harness—and it all came together in a scene where I found myself cheering for the Wicked Witch of the West!
Overall, Wicked delivers in every way. I think many fans of the musical have enjoyed it so far, and I think this will create new fans of the story. The story can lag a little bit in the middle, and though it is PG, many younger kids are going to find it boring.
My rating: 5 Stars
Wicked is currently playing in theaters everywhere- and should be experienced in the theater on the big screen with other fans.
Wicked Review TL;DR
Wicked is a visually stunning film that reimagines the story of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. Based on the Broadway musical and Gregory Maguire’s novel, it explores Elphaba’s journey alongside her friend Galinda, an aspiring sorceress, as they navigate their experiences at Shiz University and encounter the Wizard of Oz, played by Jeff Goldblum. The vibrant colors and detailed sets make Oz feel alive. Cynthia Erivo delivers a powerful performance as Elphaba, particularly in her rendition of “Defying Gravity.” Ariana Grande shines as Galinda, adding a delightful contrast to Erivo. While the film has some pacing issues, the blend of visuals, performances, and memorable music creates an engaging experience. By the end, I was cheering for the Wicked Witch, demonstrating that this adaptation is a fresh and captivating take on a beloved classic.
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