Wicked (2024), released November 22nd, has been received very positively among audiences and critics alike. Before its release, there was uncertainty among moviegoers and fans of whether or not turning the critically acclaimed Broadway musical into a feature length film was a smart move. Fortunately for the film, the general consensus is that Wicked has indeed proved itself to be a story worth the spectacle of the big screen. However, with time having passed since the film’s release, the discussion of whether or not Wicked is truly everything it was said to be has emerged. The short answer? Of course, it is!
Wicked is not only an outstanding musical but is also a coherent film. Its plot is simple and easy to follow while also being imaginative and engaging. The performances of the cast in the musical numbers are what undoubtedly give the film its charm. Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba) and Ariana Grande (Glinda) give beautiful, heartfelt performances that capture the magic of the original Broadway production while also offering something new and fresh to the original scores. Ariana Grande’s performance as Glinda is something that really surprised audiences, casting off doubts regarding her capabilities as both an actress and Broadway singer. She is able to encapsulate the original character of Glinda perfectly while also making the character her own by providing a unique flair. Grande’s vocal range is demonstrated immediately with the film’s first song, “No One Mourns the Wicked”, which sets the tone and level of talent for the rest of the film.
The same goes for Cynthia Erivo’s take on Elphaba. She delivers a performance that acts as the heart of the film with her acting prowess and strong, powerful vocals. She’s someone who fully embodies her character and proves herself to be an astounding actress and vocalist. She’s an actress who brings great pride and passion to her work. Without her in the role of Elphaba, the film would be entirely different and wouldn’t be nearly as moving as it is. Erivo’s love for the source material of the film, as well as her love for the genre, is what made her live up to the expectations of audiences and critics alike. The same could be said about Grande as well.
Another concern that a lot of people had was how the film would handle adapting the first two acts of Broadway into a film with nearly a three-hour runtime. The directors and writers decided that in order for the film to live up to the original production, it would need to be in two parts. The first and second act is what the first film is composed of, the second film will feature the entirety of the third act. When audiences heard about this choice, along with the fact that the film would run for 160 minutes, they worried the plot of the film would drag. Thankfully, this is something Wicked also managed to prove wrong. The film follows witches Elphaba and Glinda as they navigate their time at university and become friends over the course of it. It’s based on the story of The Wizard of Oz and tells its own story of how Elphaba and Glinda become The Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch.
The story of Wicked manages to be entertaining, compelling, and fun throughout. At no point does the story feel like it is over-extending itself or trying to focus too much on spectacle. Now, as award season rolls around, Wicked has been heavily praised and nominated. It’s continuing to bring in new fans while also appealing to fans of the original musical. The second part of the film will appear in theaters this November and is heavily anticipated.
