Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo turn Wicked into unlimited fun.
By: ABNƎR Movie Reviews
Every villain has a beginning, and Wicked, Jon M. Chu’s big-screen adaptation of the beloved musical, tells the story of the Wicked Witch of the West in a bold and powerful way. As one of its most notable songs goes, Wicked is “gonna be popular.”
Wicked is a movie musical adaptation of the Tony-winning Broadway show Wicked. The Broadway show is a loose adaptation of Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel ‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West’, itself a reimagining of L. Frank Baum’s 1900 classic ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ and its iconic 1939 film adaptation. The premise follows Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), an outcast with emerald-green skin, and Galinda (Ariana Grande), a charismatic aristocrat, as they form an unexpected bond in the magical Land of Oz. However, their clashing personalities and diverging paths ultimately test their friendship as they evolve into opposing characters.
The 2024 Wicked adaptation, set to release in U.S. theaters on November 22, has already earned a Certified Fresh status on Rotten Tomatoes, boasting a 92% critics rating and a 99% audience score as of November 20. The film’s marketing and press tour is proving highly effective, with a massive campaign that has taken over pop culture in recent months. With these strong early ratings, the film is poised for popularity, with Deadline predicting a global opening between $165M and $200M.
Wicked features Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in the new iconic leading roles of Elphaba and Galinda respectively. The two deliver powerhouse performances, with the ambitious songs pushing their vocal ranges to impressive new heights. Erivo delivers a chilling, memorable musical number that concludes with her singing at the edge of a cliff, making it one of the film’s standout moments. Grande also delivers some exceptional high notes early in the film, showcasing her impressive vocal range. Their on-screen chemistry is captivating, leaving no moment where you’d want to look away when the two share the screen.
The film is a visual and auditory spectacle, blending exceptional choreography, lighting, and powerful musical compositions. Christopher Scott’s choreography was animated, cheerful, and fun to watch. Meanwhile, Paul Tazewell’s costume design is exquisite, especially for Ariana Grande and her many, many outfits throughout the film. The soft lighting creates a dream-like aesthetic to the film, while the dark shadows that envelop the duo as they enter the ominous Emerald City invite a deeper exploration of the secrets lurking just beyond the surface.
One of the most exciting moments was witnessing the audience’s reaction to a cameo by original Broadway Wicked stars, Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, during Elphaba and Galinda’s entrance to the Emerald City. The theater erupted in cheers as the two actresses passed the torch to the new duo of Erivo and Grande. One of the film’s standout moments unfolds during the ‘Defying Gravity’ sequence, as Elphaba realizes the full extent of her powers, delivering an emotionally charged and visually stunning scene.
Wicked also highlights some story elements with a powerful message. Oz is a world where animals have evolved the ability to speak, but for this trait, they are ostracized and persecuted. Elphaba’s character deeply relates to this, as she has endured discrimination throughout her life because of her emerald-green skin. In the film adaption, Elphaba’s beloved professor, Dr. Dillamond—a talking goat voiced by Peter Dinklage (who does an incredible job) —is forcibly taken away by police due to this discrimination. The allegories serve as a powerful warning about the dangers of silencing marginalized communities. However, Wicked misses an opportunity to explore the deeper emotional impact of the animal rights abuses happening in Oz, instead glossing over it to focus more on the relationship between the two leads and their mutual happiness, despite this being the core reason for their eventual separation.
While the film has several notable strengths, the transition to the final act feels slow, with certain sequences lingering a bit too long before the meeting with Oz. It’s never a good sign when the runtime starts to feel noticeable, and this becomes evident toward the film’s conclusion.
Overall, Wicked is a visually stunning and powerful adaptation of a beloved tale. It is a must-see for fans of the musical and anyone who appreciates listening to impressive voices and the cinematic experience.