Product Info

Studio

Universal Pictures

Director

Jon M. Chu

Genre

Fantasy, Musical, Romance

Rated

PG

Theatrical Release Date (NA)

Nov 22, 2024

Film Length

2hr 40min

Purchase From

Wicked is an in-depth, two-movie adaptation of the popular Broadway show. The first film will be released on November 22, 2024, and the second half, Wicked: Part Two, on November 21, 2025. It’s a magical ride that fans of musicals and The Wizard of Oz will enjoy.

Before Becoming Wicked

The film tells an untold story of the Wicked Witch of the West named Elphaba, played by Cynthia Erivo, and the Good Witch of the East named Glinda, played by Ariana Grande. Elphaba, a young woman who’s misunderstood because of her green skin and born with magical powers, meets Glinda, portrayed as a popular people-pleasing young woman with a superficial personality. Their paths intertwine and their friendship grows as they take on obstacles and overcome barriers in the land of Oz.

Before Becoming Good and Bad

When you start getting introduced to the main characters Elphaba and Glinda, one experiences cognitive dissonance really quickly. If you have ever seen the original 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz, then you understand that Glinda is the Good Witch and that the green witch is the Wicked Witch of the West. As with many stories, the villain is evil and there are no questions asked. It is accepted that the beautiful witch is good and the green witch, who does not conform to traditional beauty standards, is bad. 

In Wicked, you quickly learn that Elphaba is angry and upset at how she is treated by the world due to her appearance. At the foundation, though, she is kind… more kind than most people. She wants to make sure that nobody experiences the hurt she has experienced because she sees that all people and animals are good and worthy of respect and kindness. 

Glinda, the seemingly and eventual perfect and good witch on the other hand, is quite the opposite. She is very focused on what other people think. She wants to be popular, have attention, and sees herself as perfect. The depth of her character at the start is surface level at best, and she is someone even the most discerning of viewers will dislike despite knowing that she will eventually become the good witch. It is easy for her to feel these things too because she is so beautiful that everyone fawns over her.

After doing some selfish and unkind acts, Glinda understands that Elphaba holds a lot of her feelings in. She also realizes how Elphaba feels in these circumstances and more importantly that she has hurt her. We start to see Glinda in all her imperfection begin to grow into not just a pretty face, and we also see how Elphaba unknowingly shows Glinda what being good is actually about.  

Grande did a wonderful job showing Glinda’s character going from surface level to someone who can have empathy for someone else. Even when swaying back to some of her old ways, she shows that change doesn’t happen overnight.

Meanwhile, Elphaba, despite her frustrated and angry feelings towards the world, is open to seeing who people truly are. She sees the good in Glinda even before Glinda sees it herself (or rather the true good and not the superficial parts).

Cynthia Erivo successfully portrays an Elphaba of real character who holds to her values and chooses what is right even when presented with an opportunity to get her true heart’s desire. Though her change and evolution is not as dramatic as Glinda’s, Elphaba’s personal growth has come by way of a softening of her personality and an opening of her heart to some individuals with whom she crosses paths. It’s hard not to root for this eventual villain to get what she wants because she is the hero at this point.

Musical to Your Ears

The music of Wicked comes directly from the stage play of the same name. As such, music is a big part of the film and does not disappoint. All of the songs were taken from the stage production and rumor has it that Wicked: Part Two will have two new songs added that aren’t in the original. Though the music won’t hit home for every person in the audience, it does help carry and support the story. If you are a fan of the stage play, you will love the film.

Beautifully Good

With the film taking place in Oz, which is a part of another world, it would’ve been nearly impossible to take this to a higher level without including at least some computer-generated imagery. Thankfully, they did! It helps create a world that is whimsical beyond anything that could’ve been done on stage.

Even without the computer effects, the detail that was captured on set was wonderful, but with it, the sky is the limit, both figuratively and actually. The falling, flying, and scenery from the sky are all assisted by CGI and so are the animals. One professor, who is a goat, has their pupils dilate as the light changes in the room. It’s the little details added that make this movie visually great. The cinematography is also done creatively, especially during the musical scenes. For example, in a scene where Elphaba and Glinda are staring at each other, the camera zooms in in sync with each beat before the musical number starts.

Despite being a 2 hour 40 minute film, it doesn’t feel like it. The story, pace, and acting—not to mention the music, CGI, and other visuals—make it a wonderful film. The only thing that’s less than ideal is that it ends on a cliffhanger, leaving the audience wanting more. However, when Wicked: Part Two comes out on November 21, 2025, rewatching the first film will be an absolute delight.

The Final Path

Wicked is a marvelous film with an amazing story, amazing music, and amazing visual effects. Fans of the stage production will be pleased as punch. Seriously, can somebody wave a magic wand and have it be next November already?

An early screening provided for this review. Wicked arrives in theaters on November 22, 2024. Fans can visit the the official website for tickets.