I’ll refrain from calling the film ’wicked good,’ as the hype may drive expectations a bit too far. But it is fair to say that Wicked is faithful to the wildly popular stage musical it’s based on and will undoubtedly endear itself to musical theater geeks and fans of cinematic spectacle. It is big and colorful and full of life, albeit a tad too long with a running time of two hours, 40 minutes. That’s about the length of the Broadway musical, though the film only gets you to intermission. Act Two (aka Wicked: Part Two) doesn’t hit theaters for another year!
For those oblivious to the pop cultural zeitgeist, Wicked serves as a prequel to the classic Wizard of Oz. It tells the backstory of how the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good came to be known as such. And how, as roommates at Shiz University, the pair formed an unlikely yet genuine friendship— when they were simply the green-skinned, misunderstood and ridiculed Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and the pretty, privileged and popular Galinda (Arian Grande). Their friendship reaches a crossroads after an encounter with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum), arranged by Shiz U’s headmistress Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh). As the characters’ true motivations and ambitions come to light, the story takes a dark turn complete with flying monkeys. The music soars throughout— particularly when Erivo and Grande are in full voice; Goldblum and Yeoh, while fun to watch, can’t begin to compete on the vocal scale. And Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton, Fellow Travelers) is having a well-deserved moment as Fiyero, a charming and carefree prince who captures the eye (and perhaps the heart) of both Elphaba and Galinda. I can’t wait to see more of him in part two. Think ‘Anthony Bridgerton’ in an alternate universe. IYKYK.
Director John M. Chu (In the Heights, Crazy Rich Asians) and cast create a fantastical world that hits close to home with cautionary tales of ambition, discrimination, power and corruption, and how they can undermine civility, friendship and joy.
I saw “Wicked” on Broadway about 20 years ago, with the phenomenal Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth in the lead roles (note: they get a musical cameo in the film). Over the years, their performances stuck with me more than the show itself. Same with the film. A talented cast; some catchy tunes; a lot of heart; and an entertaining escape. Will it blow you away? Depends on how you feel about the story and about musicals in general. If you like both, definitely see it on the big screen. You’ll surely be changed ‘for good.’ 😉
Wicked (Part One) gravitates into theaters November 22. Part Two flies in circa Thanksgiving 2025. Note: Keep an eye (and ear) out for sing-along screenings of Wicked in about a thousand North American theaters starting December 25.