I was 17, on a flight to the Bahamas for a family vacation, when I first listened to the Wicked Broadway soundtrack. Staring out the window at the endless clouds, I felt like I was soaring right alongside Elphaba as she defied gravity. That music stayed with me, becoming a soundtrack to a summer I’ll never forget. Years later, sitting in the audience at Playhouse Square, I watched the story come to life on stage, and it changed me “for good.” So, when the movie finally came out, I walked into the theater with high hopes—and let me tell you, I was utterly blown away. Wicked: Part 1 was released in November 2024, directed by Jon M. Chu, starring Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. It’s a fantasy musical adaptation of the Broadway hit and novel by Gregory Maguire. It starts with celebrating the Wicked Witch of the West’s downfall after melting and perishing to her doom. Although all seems fine and celebratory in the Land of Oz, we later learn that the Wicked Witch, named Elphaba, may not be so wicked after all. Wicked masterfully demonstrates balance with its dazzling visuals and iconic music, making it a hit adaptation of a beloved classic.
The movie follows a green-skinned outcast named Elphaba as she navigates life in Oz and her uncontrollable sorcery powers. Throughout the story, she forms an unlikely friendship with Glinda, formerly known as Galinda, while also trying to save the talking animals of Oz, who are silenced and stripped of their rights. The movie is two hours and forty minutes, much longer than the entirety of the stage musical. Although the movie is much longer, we can sit back and watch more of the character and plot development unfold. The movie does not drag on, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats for the entirety of the movie. Once the movie is finished, you hardly realize it is almost three hours long.
Cynthia Erivo’s portrayal of Elphaba captures the Witch’s vulnerability and strength, and Ariana Grande embodies Glinda the Good's bubbly charm and complexity. Both Erivo and Grande captivate these characters in a way that you forget they are simply actors portraying a role in a movie. They both bring these characters to life in their own ways. Jonathan Bailey’s performance of Fiyero, specifically in the scene “Dancing Through Life,” creates a positive, upbeat dance number that makes the audience want to get up out of their seats and dance along. The Wizard, portrayed by Jeff Goldblum, creates the essence of everything the Wizard stands for: charming yet excessively manipulating with his “parental ideals.” The casting was done so well, almost perfect.
Seeing Wicked on stage is a magical experience, but it’s like watching your dreams come to life on the big screen. Chu transitions the musical seamlessly, capturing every intricate detail. From the shimmering emerald tones of Oz to the contrast between Glinda’s bright world and Elphaba’s earthy journey, every frame feels intentional, powerful, and utterly breathtaking—like stepping into the vivid dream I first imagined while listening to the soundtrack years ago. The set designs were stunning, from the towering spires of the Emerald City to the whimsical details of Shiz University. The stage production I loved was magnified, with every detail brought to life on screen. The set was absolutely breathtaking.
The Broadway soundtrack has really changed everyone’s life in some way, and the songs in the movie were impactful in a new way. Leaving the theatre after hearing Erivo’s magnificent vocals in “Defying Gravity,” there was no single dry eye. Each song brought the characters more to life, and it was difficult not to sing along. Each actor brought a new twist to these numbers, making each scene more memorable every time you watch it. Something about the last few notes of “Defying Gravity” makes you want to stand and applaud, wiping the many tears from your eyes. The songs were terrific, and I keep listening to them on repeat.
When many people think of Wicked, their first thought is that it’s about witches, spells, and sorcery, but it is so much more than that. While the story does follow Elphaba and Glinda, who struggle to find their voice and power in sorcery, the story deals with loyalty, friendship, and taking a stand in times of adversity. The movie does a great job highlighting good vs. evil in ways that many people do not expect in our world today. Viewers may notice that sometimes, the ones we think are the “bad guys” are actually trying to help, while the “good guys” corrupt our world and turn everyone against one another. Wicked’s emotional depth was well-maintained, giving every viewer something extraordinary to take away. Whether you are a big musical theatre fan or simply just a partner or spouse dragged by their significant other to see the film, it was a magical experience in some way for all.
Overall, the movie was life-changing. The performance and visuals were fantastically blown away, bringing the story of Wicked more to life. For two hours and forty minutes, I put all my troubles aside, quickly forgetting that I was watching a movie on the big screen. I had such high hopes for this film before I saw it, and I can confidently say it succeeded tremendously. It was still the same Broadway production but with many new flavors that did not take anything away from the stage production. If you enjoy a good musical movie, you do not want to miss out on this one. You will be changed “for good.”
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