Writer’s note: The second paragraph of this article (just below the first image) contains a basic outline of the film’s premise. There are no spoilers that weren’t already inferred in the film’s own trailer. However, if you want to completely avoid potential spoilers, skip over the second paragraph.
The Wizard of Oz (1939) is undeniably the most famous and iconic film ever made. This is not up to debate, as all of its dialogue, all of its imagery, and all of its story beats have been referenced, parodied and copied endlessly for 85 years. There is also no film with a greater impact on cinema, given its groundbreaking innovation of colour. Even today, the transition from sepia to colour when Dorothy walks through the door is a wonder to behold. With that kind of legacy (and enduring quality), most Oz productions barely measure up. However, there is one related story that has gained an equally enviable legacy and fandom: Wicked, the stage musical which serves as a prequel to the original narrative. The prospect of a film adaptation of Wicked has circulated for years, and it is Director John M. Chu who has finally made it happen.
Following the death of the famed Wicked Witch of the West, Glinda the Good Witch (Ariana Grande) celebrates this momentous occasion with the people of Oz. The people had heard rumours that Glinda and the Wicked Witch were once friends, and they ask her about this. Glinda confirms this to be true, and tells the story of how she and the witch were once roommates at Shiz University. The Wicked Witch, at the time named Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), didn’t have many friends growing up because people were terrified of her green skin. Glinda and Elphaba began as bitter rivals, but slowly developed a rich friendship, culminating in Glinda joining Elphaba on her journey to The Emerald City. There, they meet The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, who can grant Elphaba anything her heart desires. However, The Wizard’s intentions may not be as noble as originally thought.
The first thing to address is Wicked’s intimidating length. At two hours and 40 minutes, it’s a challenging runtime for any blockbuster, and it’s especially perplexing considering the story only covers one half of a three hour stage play. For the last 13 years, it’s been common for filmmakers to break complete stories up into parts, simply for the purpose of milking more money out of the property. The third and final Hunger Games book was arbitrarily split into two movies, and the tiny children’s book, The Hobbit, was broken up into three, three hour movies. This is a frustrating and cynical practice, so there is definitely reason to be nervous that Wicked is doing this very thing. So, it’s pleasantly surprising that Wicked (Part One) is not only a wonderful cinematic experience, but also leaves the viewer feeling energised for more.
The most obvious reason for this is of course the songs, which possibly reach the pinnacle of musicals on film. Even with the overabundance of computer generated imagery, these sequences utilise engaging camera work, clever visual techniques, and stunning choreography. One could argue that the strength of the play has laid much of the groundwork for this film’s success, but John M. Chu hasn’t simply copied and pasted what was done on stage. There are scenes which evoke famous moments from the Broadway production, but this is still very much Chu’s original interpretation of the material. Chu delivered great work with Crazy Rich Asians (2018) and In the Heights (2021), but it’s Wicked that has finally cemented Chu as a filmmaker to watch.
In a musical, much of the film’s merits depend on the lead performances, and Wicked struck gold with the casting of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo as Glinda and Elphaba respectively. Erivo has already proven herself as a dramatic actor with Harriet (2019), and as a talented singer in the stage production of The Colour Purple, but she is a revelation as Elphaba. One of the key purposes of the Wicked story is to understand why the Witch became evil, or rather, is misunderstood to be evil, and Erivo completely captures the sympathetic reality of the tragic character. Her work is matched brilliantly by Grande, effortlessly transforming from selfish to empathetic without affecting her likability. As a pair, Erivo and Grande are the most entertaining double act of the year, in addition to being the most heartfelt.
Yes, the Land of Oz is a wild, wacky and weird place, with talking animals, colourful cities and bizarre magic. This is not a world that is easy to take 100 percent seriously, nor does Chu expect you to. The performances, dialogue and plot points all create a highly fantastic reality, where moments of slapstick comedy and over-the-top visuals are the norm. Like The Wizard of Oz before it, this is a magical fairy tale, meaning the film freely invites the viewer to laugh at what they see and hear. This by no means diminishes the artistry with which it’s all created, as this operatic tone is highly intentional and beautifully realised. Wicked makes it easy for the viewer to become engrossed in the fantasy, resulting in the character development and dramatic moments to hit home.
Even with all considerable excellence, splitting the story into two parts may still bother some viewers, as there’s still very little plot covered in this first half. There is a villain up to no good, and it is left on a highly exciting cliffhanger, but the amount of screen time dedicated to building it up is limited. While it is arguably an issue, it’s very minor as the film’s structure isn’t harmed at all. There is a clear three act story, not a moment feels wasted or rushed, and the “to be continued” style conclusion feels appropriately climatic and epic for this first entry. The time doesn’t feel wasted due to how much we come to love the characters, priming us for the second part due out in one year’s time.
The most common phrase you hear from general moviegoers is “I don’t like musicals”. This has made the movie business feel like they need to hide when they release musicals. In the marketing material, it’s all very vague, just in case audiences will be put off from seeing them. If Wicked has proven anything, it’s that people have been lying to themselves. Practically every year, there’s a big musical film released, garnering love from audiences, critics or both. With Wicked’s undeniable success, both artistically and financially, no one can claim anymore that they don’t like musicals. Why? The statement everyone will make once leaving the cinema will inevitably be “I don’t like musicals, but I really liked Wicked“. Well, you all said that at the last musical, and the one before, and before, and on it goes.
8.5/10
Best way to watch it: When Part II comes out next year, prepare for a double feature.
