“Wicked” defies gravity in its movie adaptation

Wicked Movie Poster

Photo: Movie poster for "Wicked"

Movie poster for "Wicked" Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures.

“Wicked,” based on the beloved 2003 Broadway musical and adapted from Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, brings the magic of Oz to life with sparkling visuals and wonderful acting. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the film keeps much of the charm that made the stage production unforgettable — such as its upbeat musical numbers and superb acting. 

The story follows Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), a young woman with green skin who struggles to fit in at Shiz University, a school for magic, and the world beyond. At Shiz, she meets Galinda Upland (Ariana Grande), the bubbly and self-assured queen of the social ladder. As the movie progresses, the two go from mortal enemies to unexpected close friends. Together, they try to tackle the growing mystery of why Oz’s animals are disappearing and losing their ability to speak. This problem leads Elphaba on a path of rebellion, as she begins questioning the narratives of morality and power she’s been fed. At its core, the story challenges the character and the audience to reconsider what it truly means to be “good” or “wicked.”

From the very first scene, Chu takes the theatricality of the original musical and expands it to be more grand. Songs from the musical stay true to their Broadway roots, while taking full advantage of the cinematic medium. For example, Elphaba’s iconic flight during the song “Defying Gravity” is a visual masterpiece, blending seamless effects and sweeping camera motions with Erivo’s powerful and emotive vocals. Meanwhile, the song “Dancing Through Life” and the Ozdust Ball sequence are just as impressive, keeping the energy of the stage while giving audiences a more vibrant set. Oz itself is mesmerizing, with the vibrant green skyline of Emerald City and the pastel glow of Munchkinland making every frame feel alive. However, the elaborate and complex visuals can sometimes be a little much. The vibrant and sprawling color palette of the movie never allows the audience to catch a break. 

Even with the intense visuals, Erivo and Grande impressively support the movie with their acting. Erivo’s portrayal of Elphaba and her complex feelings is stellar with each emotion and mannerism shining through every scene. Her performance of “The Wizard and I” is filled with excitement and hope, and by the time she launches into “Defying Gravity,” her transformation into the misunderstood “Wicked Witch" feels both inevitable, empowering, and heartbreaking at the same time. Grande’s depiction of Galinda, on the other hand, is a burst of energy and charm. She nails the comedic timing in the song “Popular” with exaggerated gestures and over-the-top hair flips, but also gives Galinda a subtle tenderness beyond her shallow character to make her relationship with Elphaba seem more genuine. Together, they bring a magnetic chemistry that keeps the film grounded throughout the whole plot.

Even with the phenomenal acting, the pacing of the movie hinders the audience from being fully immersed in the scene and is one of the film's biggest flaws. The new film was split into two movies with this first part only covering about half of the content of the musical. With a showtime of a whopping two hours and forty minutes, certain storylines in “Wicked Part One” feel stretched out to justify the musical’s split into two movies. Although it concludes on a dramatic note, setting the stage for a high-stakes resolution in part two, it also leaves the first movie feeling incomplete, more like an elaborate prologue than a self-contained narrative. Many arcs are left dangling, relying heavily on the promise of the sequel to deliver a satisfying conclusion.

Despite its flaws, the film delivers emotional moments that are sure to resonate with fans and newcomers alike. Erivo and Grande’s performances carry much of the weight, and the iconic musical numbers lose none of their magic in the transition to the big screen. While it’s not a perfect adaptation, this first chapter of “Wicked” leaves just enough to keep audiences invested in the journey. Whether the second part will deliver on its promise remains to be seen, but for now, Chu’s “Wicked” offers a taste of Oz that’s hard to resist.

“Wicked” is rated PG for some scary action, thematic material, and brief suggestive material. It was released on November 21 and is now playing in theaters, including Regal Majestic Stadium 20 & IMAX, AMC Wheaton Mall 9 and AMC Montgomery 16.