“Wicked,” the big screen musical and most-anticipated movie in 2024, presents the audience with a stirring and dramatic adaptation of the Broadway musical. The film is directed by Jon M. Chu, who directed films such as “Crazy Rich Asians,” “In the Heights” and now “Wicked,” an updated version of the tale about Elphaba and Glinda – the witches from The Oz.
But this isn’t just a show. “Wicked” addresses issues of friendship and betrayal, desire for power, the concept of otherness and the fight against oppression.
The main characters are Elphaba (played by Cynthia Erivo), and Glinda (played by Ariana Grande). Elphaba is a green-skinned heroine who is rooted in her values. The path which she has to go through is one of discovery and rebellion. Elphaba starts out with a deep belief in justice, but her pursuit of justice tends to lead to destruction. In the end, she accepts that her fight for what is right will make her look like the villain.
Glinda, on the other hand, is an affluent, optimistic and socially-oriented young woman who cares for her reputation more than matters that concern society. Elphaba and Glinda’s unlikely friendship serves as the foundation of the entire plot, as makes the characters face their principles and purpose they were meant to serve in Oz, along with the dangers that surround them
The movie is based on the musical with adaptations and provides the political reality of Oz that feels rather contemporary. The legacy of the Wicked Witch is yet to be seen while the early life of Elphaba is explored. The film shows her as a child and young adult, a student with a lot of potential but no hope. Her character becomes increasingly rebellious against the system represented by the Wizard.
Glinda’s character develops more than the original Broadway character as she transforms from a young woman obsessed with popularity into a character seeking more purpose. She changed her name pronunciation in solidarity with their professor Dr. Dillamond’s unjust arrest.
The choice of cast for this movie is excellent with two leading actresses who are amazing. Erivo gave an incredible performance for Elphaba, culminating with the “Defying Gravity” scene where she displays both frailty and courage. Her version of Elphaba is strong willed and compassionate, which makes her a relatable character. She is a warrior for the cause, but still trying to find her purpose in society.
A criticism initially leveled against the film was that Grande who portrayed Glinda, would be unable to fulfill the role of Glinda. However, she surprised many with her performance. She does an excellent job of portraying Glinda as perky and funny and gives the audience some comedic relief, but there is much more to her character. Grande’s comedic skills are evident in the songs, mainly in the song “Popular,” but she is best when used in her soft and serious scenes. She creates a Glinda who looks new but feels old, a Glinda who is funny but shows she has a lot of feelings.
Jeff Goldlbum brings his quirkiness and likability to the role of the Wizard, however, his character is not utilized as much as he was in the stage production. Michelle Yeoh is fantastic as always in the role of Madame Morrible, she exudes power and commands attention in every scene that she appears making her a very captivating villain.
Artistically, Wicked is full of vibrant colors and magical scenes. Starting from the fancy corridors of Shiz University to the amazing Emerald city, every scene is a treat to the eyes. Costumes, set the effects used in the film create the feeling of being in Oz as if one is watching the film in 3D. Some of the CG scenes are used excessively and they do tend to overpower the storyline at times, but they are quite effective. The transformation of Elphaba into the Wicked Witch is one of the most striking and dramatic moments of the game.
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The romantic relationship between Elphaba and Fiyero in the film is not well developed; this weakens the sub plot. This is only part one of a two-part movie so we assume this relationship will be developed more in the second part. Despite these flaws, “Wicked” is a beautiful and dramatic adaptation. It gives a fresh perspective to a timeless story, features breathtaking performances, memorable songs and an incredible vision. This is a fantastic adaptation, which develops the characters further and expands on the original themes.
Whether you are a loyal fan of the musical or watching it for the first time, this is a film which will make you think more deeply about friendship, standing up for your beliefs and finding your own niche in the world. This is not a flawless film, but it is a film filled with emotion, action and a bit of wonder, that was definitely worth watching.
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