Wicked movie
Award-winning director Jon M. Chu has had a handful of highlights in recent years for his film work, including in 2018’s Crazy Rich Asians and 2021’s In The Heights. His latest offering, the first of a two-part Wicked musical movie adaption, teaches us an age-old story yet again with a new context from which to view it in a time where it feels lots of us have been deemed as “the other.”
Chu’s interpretation of the 2003 musical from Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony award holder Cynthia Erivo (Harriet) and Grammy-winning pop star Ariana Grande, who each shine in their respective roles as Elphaba and Glinda.
Glinda shares the untold story of the infamous Wicked Witch of the West from the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz after Dorothy liquifies her. Elphaba—born green and ostracized for it—works to harness her seemingly uncontrollable powers and meets Glinda—a socialite with privilege and a hunger for popularity—at Shiz University in the Land of Oz.
Though tensions arise between the green and pink pair initially, they manage to forge a friendship. However, the disconnect grows as Elphaba continues to develop her magic abilities and discovers the talking animals of the land are being silenced and losing rights.
Erivo and Grande showcase powerhouse vocal abilities and immaculate chemistry with stunning cinematography to complement their talents. Though its 2 hour and 40 minute runtime seems a bit longwinded, this pair manages to captivate an audience every step of the way. Damn the year gap between the two parts, you’ll surely want more.
Wicked fans rejoicify, for the movie is spectacular and is sure to be—no pun intended—popular
9
+Cinematography; outstanding vocals; chemistry between actors
-Over two hours long with a year gap for the second part
Wicked
Directed by Chu
With Erivo and Grande
Violet Crown Cinema, PG, 160 min
