This review contains spoilers for the movie “Wicked.”
“Wicked” is going to be wildly pop-u-ler…lar!
Grab your witch hats, magic wands and run to your local theater to see this year’s most anticipated movie, “Wicked”. Directed by Jon M. Chu and released on Nov. 22, “Wicked” is a magical and thrilling experience, filled with whimsy humor and oddity. After watching the film during early screenings, I can happily say that this is the journey of a lifetime. “Wicked” is a must-see for everyone.
“Wicked” has been one of 2024’s biggest pop culture phenomenons. From many creative marketing tactics and brand deals to an incredibly star-studded cast, the film is in constant conversation online. The film stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba Thropp and Ariana Grande as Galinda Upland, later Glinda the Good Witch, with support from stars such as Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, Peter Dinklage and even Bowen Yang from Saturday Night Live. As I sat down for the 3:00 p.m. matinee, my hopes were incredibly high that this movie would be life-changing.
“Wicked” provides an emotional journey through the land of Oz and examines the power of sisterhood. If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of “Wicked”, the story originated as a novel by Gregory Maguire in 1995 before opening on Broadway in 2003. It acts as a prequel to the story of “The Wizard of Oz,” centering on the untold origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West: Elphaba Thropp.
Despite its nearly three-hour runtime, “Wicked” leaves no space for boredom. Every moment is captivating, from Galinda’s emotional acceptance of Elphaba at the Ozdust Ball to the action-packed sequence before “Defying Gravity” where the duo fights to escape from flying monkeys. Every emotion portrayed on screen is mirrored by the audience, pulling you in and refusing to let go. “Wicked” never falls flat; it will leave you begging for more, unable to look away.
The journey begins during the timeline of “The Wizard of Oz.” Glinda and the Good Witch arrive in Munchkinland in her signature bubble, lauded for her kindness and commitment to good. Glinda informs those in Munchkinland of the Wicked Witch’s death as Dorothy travels down the yellow brick road. This sparks the first musical number: “No One Mourns The Wicked.” While I could write essays about Grande’s incredible vocal performance during this number, the magic lies beneath the surface.
Despite a moment of celebration after the defeat of evil, Glinda seems hesitant. There’s a hint of sadness and regret in her actions and expressions, although her voice tells a different story. However, as the number ends and Glinda is asked to recount her own experiences with the Wicked Witch, we see a tenderness come to the surface and the real journey begins.
We gain our first look into the life of the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba Thropp. Born with green skin, Elphaba’s family and peers reject her. She faces intense bullying and torment throughout her life. The cards have been stacked against Elphaba from the beginning. In this scene, we are also exposed to Elphaba’s extraordinary powers.
We are then transported to Shiz University, the meeting place of Galinda and Elphaba. At first sight, enemies are born. While Galinda attempts to major in sorcery and appeal to Madame Morrible, Shiz’s sorcery professor, Elphaba does so seamlessly causing jealousy and contempt from Galinda. After they are forced to become roommates, we are thrown into “What Is This Feeling?”, one of the most entertaining sequences.
Galinda and Elphaba go head to head with their discontent in this number. They sing lyrics such as “Every little trait, however small / Makes my very flesh begin to crawl / With simple, utter loathing.” As the roommates belt out their frustrations with each other, Shiz University students side with Galinda. This adds to Elphaba’s torture and reaffirms her image as they sing “She’s a terror, she’s a tartar, we don’t mean to show a bias / But, Galinda, you’re a martyr.” With a catchy tune and addictive choreography, this is undoubtedly one of the best numbers in the film.
“Dancing Through Life” is another lively and wonderfully choreographed performance, introducing Prince Fiyero, played by Jonathan Bailey. However, this number takes an emotional and notable turn at the end, when the students of Shiz attend the Ozdust Ball. The power of this scene pinched at my heartstrings and brought me to tears. We see Galinda’s humanity and character truly begin to develop at the end of this number. As Elphaba arrives at the dance, her classmates tease and humiliate her. This prompts Galinda to join her on the floor and wipe her tears. It’s her first time seeing Elphaba as a person, and their heartfelt dance is enough to make any watcher weep.
Elphaba and Galinda’s beautiful friendship begins and their bond as roommates deepens. The excitement I felt for “Popular” was on another level. While this has always been my favorite song from “Wicked,” I was beyond ready to hear Grande’s take on the classic. After the events of the ball, Galinda aims to save Elphaba’s reputation, coaching her through fashion and conversation. “Popular” is witty and joyful, filled with humor and lightheartedness. Grande’s performance of the song was a compelling testament to her being the perfect choice for Galinda.
At its core, “Wicked” is a story about the bonds of sisterhood. However, it’s also a story of oppression and othering. Throughout her entire life, Elphaba is beaten down and seen as a monster. As trouble brews in Oz and her professor Dr. Dillamond, a goat, is arrested and thrown in a cage, Elphaba is determined to save him and the rest of the animals in Oz who are under attack. After she is granted the opportunity to meet the Wizard of Oz, Elphaba and Galinda (who then changes her name to Glinda in honor of Dr. Dillamond) travel to the Emerald City to alert the Wizard of the issue.
Upon her arrival, Elphaba experiences multiple epiphanies. Not only does she possess power unlike anything Oz has ever seen, but she also realizes that the Wizard lacks any real magical power. Moreover, he is leading the fight to eradicate Oz’s animals and cage them. Reality shifts and we are thrust into the final act that is guaranteed to have you on the edge of your seat. As Elphaba attempts to escape in an action-packed sequence, the Wizard alerts the masses that Elphaba is a criminal, prompting a search and arrest. Glinda follows close behind, desperately trying to convince Elphaba to stop. It is in this final act that we see one of the most impactful, emotional songs in film history, “Defying Gravity”.
“Defying Gravity” encompasses Elphaba’s entire character and the journey she follows throughout the film. Freeing herself from her life of persecution and isolation, the number takes you through Elphaba’s final breakthrough as she sings, “Something has changed within mе / Something is not the same.” Glinda attempts to convince Elphaba to apologize and save herself, ultimately failing; Elphaba’s infamous flying broomstick reaches her hands instead, prompting her to flee Oz on the run from the Wizard and his army.
However, in “Defying Gravity” we also see the pair’s commitment to sisterhood. This number made for one of the best endings I have ever seen in a film, buckling you in for part two and leaving you speechless. Elphaba and Glinda’s emotional parting is incredibly powerful and demonstrates their extensive character development. The sheer emotion carried in this sequence is piercing as Elphaba sacrifices herself and accepts her fate for the sake of morality and friendship.
As Elphaba celebrates her newfound freedom and repeatedly sings the word “unlimited”, Glinda watches in horror and sorrow, singing “I hope you’re happy.” While this line comes across as passive-aggressive, Glinda is expressing her overwhelming grief. She must denounce her best friend to save herself, but her words fill with truth. She knows that Elphaba cannot ignore her morals and wishes her the best. However, there is also a sense of false contempt to appeal to the Wizard and Madame Morrible.
Cynthia Erivo’s performance as Elphaba Thropp left me speechless. The audience felt Every emotion Erivo conveyed, striking a strong emotional response. Even in scenes without dialogue, Erivo’s eyes conveyed everything you needed to know. Erivo’s performance provided a complex and exhilarating version of Elphaba, building her character through the film until the final act. “Defying Gravity” was all the convincing needed to secure her an Oscar, from her vocal performance to the sheer emotion.
I went into “Wicked” with an explicit bias. As an Ariana Grande fan of over 12 years, I am happy to see her on the big screen again. Not only this, but I knew that Galinda Upland had been her dream role since she was a child. Watching the movie only proved that this was the role of a lifetime for her. Grande channeled herself into the character completely, providing a perfect rendition of Galinda. After seeing “Wicked”, I cannot imagine anyone else playing the role.
I have little to no complaints about this movie other than a few small lighting decisions. The lighting often felt overpowering and blown out, washing the film of its vibrancy, which it desperately needed. After its predecessor acted as a breakthrough in technicolor, I felt as if Wicked lacked a little less saturation.
While “Defying Gravity” was undoubtedly my favorite part, I find myself revisiting the choreography in “What Is This Feeling?”. From the courtyard to the cafeteria, the movements and exaggerations of the cast have stuck in my brain. It is one of the most invigorating musical numbers I have ever seen.
Through a long journey, “Wicked” questions your perception of the beloved classic from almost a century ago. It urges you to look at both sides of every story. “Wicked” breathes humanity, humor and emotion into a beloved classic. It will have you walking out of the screening in tears. If you enjoy it as much as I did, I’m sure you’ll be right alongside me in theaters when part two of the film releases next November. “Wicked” is pure movie magic.