Wicked | Movie Scene Canada

WICKED

I Universal Pictures I November 22, 2024 I 160 mins. I

92%

Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, Bowen Yang, Bronwyn James, Keala Settle, Peter Dinklage

CAST:

DIRECTOR(S):

Jon M. Chu

* As of 11/19/24

Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony winning powerhouse Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, a young woman, misunderstood because of her unusual green skin, who has yet to discover her true power, and Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and global superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda, a popular young woman, gilded by privilege and ambition, who has yet to discover her true heart.

The two meet as students at Shiz University in the fantastical Land of Oz and forge an unlikely but profound friendship. Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths. Glinda's unflinching desire for popularity sees her seduced by power, while Elphaba's determination to remain true to herself, and to those around her, will have unexpected and shocking consequences on her future. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

REVIEW BY: Darren Zakus - 11/19/24

RATING 5 out of 5

Wicked is the best musical adaptation of all time led by the phenomenal performances of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, bringing the beloved Broadway musical to the big screen under the visionary and flawless direction of Jon M. Chu, championing show-stopping musical numbers, incredible visuals and outstanding supporting performances that makes for the cinematic event of the year!

Fellow Ozians! Twenty one years ago, one musical changed Broadway for good when theatre goers returned to the land of Oz in Wicked. Loosely based on the novel by Gregory Maguire that explored the complex relationship between the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good from L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz, the show took the world by storm and has not only become a worldwide sensation with productions being staged in numerous countries, but the second highest grossing Broadway musical of all time only behind The Lion King. Twelve years ago, a film adaptation of Wicked was announced and remained in development for years, generating buzz amongst musical lovers, but expectations skyrocketed when it was announced in 2021 that Jon M. Chu would be directing the film with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in the starring roles. And with the film finally ready to defy gravity when it opens in theatres this week, it is beyond any of the wildest dreams of fans of the stage show. From the lead performances of Erivo and Grande that will leave audiences speechless in awe, the visionary direction of Jon M. Chu and the technical marvel he conjured up, Wicked is not only the movie event of the year, but the greatest musical adaptation to ever grace the silver screen!

What happened before Dorothy landed in Oz? That is the story of Wicked, telling the unknown story of the friendship between Elphaba, who is destined to become the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda the Good, bringing the beloved Broadway musical to the big screen right after the show celebrated its twentieth anniversary on Broadway late last year. While bringing the stage musical to the screen, screenwriters Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox have split the story into two films, each taking on one act of the Broadway show. Purists of the stage musical can rest easy knowing that no moment has been cut from the stage show, with supersized musical numbers and dance breaks, and expanding on each scene of the stage show. The Broadway format gets the story across, but each moment is given room to breathe in the film adaptation, allowing the themes of friendship, love and persecution to ring loud and clear and the character development to propel the film, making the two hour and forty minute run time fly by. Moments such as the Oz Dust Ballroom pack an emotional punch unlike no other that will leave audiences in tears, show-stopping musical numbers like “What Is This Feeling?”, “One Short Day” and “Popular” will have audiences in massive applause as the fun and energy of the live production are never lost, but the emotional build up to and the soaring finale with “Defying Gravity” will remain one of the best screens of the year that will have your jaw hit the floor. It’s a musical through and through, but for fans of the show, it’s Wicked like you have never seen it before, that makes it feel like you are experiencing it again for the first time. And the best part, there is still the entire second act to come to next year!

When Erivo and Grande were cast in the lead roles of Elphaba and Glinda respectively, musical theatre fans knew that they would have no problem belting out the beloved songs of Wicked. But not only do their performances defy gravity musically, they give two of the best performances of the entire year. Erivo is stunning as Elphaba, taking small elements of what each actress before her has brought to the beloved role and making it her own. Full of spunk, a luminous quality that shines throughout the film, and a deep sense of loyalty and morality as she stands up for those whose voices are being taken away because they are different like herself, Erivo is magnificent in every frame of the film. Easily at her best during the musical moments, especially with the chills she delivers during “Defying Gravity”, it’s a performance that is primed to break into the Best Actress race this year. Though, it is Grande who runs away with the entire film as Glinda. Conjuring up a masterful performance that not only perfects the physical comedy and the hysterical outrageousness of the character with each toss toss of her hair, Grande gives the performance of the year! From the opening scene, you can feel the yearningness within her as Glinda which speaks to the story’s central theme of friendship, while watching the blossoming friendship between her and Erivo on screen is not something that can be acted, but something organically developed between the two performers. Grande has conquered the Grammy’s and is a music superstar, but she is certainly adding Academy Award nominee for Best Supporting Actress to her resume and could very likely be walking away with the trophy next year as her performance as Glinda is that incredible!

There is nothing that can bring Erivo and Grande down as they’re flying high with their performances, but the supporting cast is equally as brilliant. Jonathan Bailey oozes sex appeal and charisma as Fiyero Tigelaar in an utterly swoon-worthy performance, unleashing his West End talents with the dazzling “Dancing Through Life” sequence that cements himself as a true superstar, while his chemistry with both Erivo and Grande is off the charts. Michelle Yeoh is sensational as Madame Morrible, capturing the character with a cool and judgemental nature that creates some unforgettable comedic moments. Jeff Goldblum is the perfect mix of quirky and sinister as the Wizard of Oz, making the most of his appearance in the film’s final scenes and teasing what he has in store for the story’s second part. And finally there is Peter Dinklage as Doctor Dillamond, who gives a beautiful voice performance that instantly creates care and compassion for his character, but also wows with a great singing voice. Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James are delightful and hilarious as Elphaba and Glinda’s classmates, and there are some great cameos that will have fans of the Broadway production self-imploding with excitement!

From the second the film begins, the musical numbers take over the film, with each one only getting better and better as the film goes along. Chu’s direction not only captures high energy choreography that is flawlessly executed by the cast, but when combined with live singing on set from the cast evokes the excitement and spectacle of a live Broadway musical, but he does so with a visionary eye that pushes the musical genre into new territory. From the spinning circular sets of “Dancing Through Life” and Bailey gliding through them like it is no big deal, the sprawling fields for “The Wizard and I”, or the drawn out production that is “Defying Gravity” that kicks the emotions of that entire sequence to new highs, Chu unequivocally cements himself as the best director currently working in the musical category. Alice Brooks cinematography places the audience in the front row for dancing spectacles, while capturing the flowing emotions of the story in the more dramatic ballads, giving a new life to this story that audiences have been falling in love with for over two decades. It truly is a cinematic experience that not only wows audiences and demands to be seen on the big screen, but one that will leave them dancing in the aisles on their way out of the theatre.

It should be no surprise that a film about a magical land features some of the best below the line work of the entire year. Chu’s insistence on practical sets gives way to stunning production that evokes the technicolor feel of The Wizard of Oz with the grand sets for Munchkinland and the Emerald City, while the hallowed halls of Shiz are stunning. Moments of CGI are unavoidable given the fantastical nature of the story, but for the most part, it is miraculous work that never for a second takes the audience out of the world of Oz. The costume design from Paul Tazewell is absolutely flawless, capturing the characters of Elphaba and Glinda effortlessly with the designs of their wardrobes, in addition to dressing every performer with costumes that capture the magic and intrigue of the Land of Oz. Frances Hannon’s make-up and hair design is impressive, especially with the way she turns Erivo green for the entire film. Much like the costume design, John Powell’s musical score smartly hides in many references to The Wizard of Oz, teasing each character’s famous destiny while paying homage to the legendary songs of Stephen Schwarz. It truly feels like the Academy can already hand out the Oscar for Best Costume Design and Production Design, as the immersive work on display in Wicked is truly unmatched.

Movie theatres around the world are going to be donning pink and green this holiday season, and it's easy to see why given how Wicked is truly majestic in every way imaginable. Not only is Wicked perfect in every way imaginable that will no doubt have audiences singing its songs for days to come, but it's a heartfelt and beautiful adaptation of the beloved musical full of love, friendship and resonate themes in today’s world that still has a marvelous spell to still cast on viewers next year with Wicked: Part Two. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande deliver two out of this world, awards’ worthy performances that bring their beloved characters to life like never before, allowing the musical genre to reach epic heights under Jon M. Chu’s masterful direction, bringing to life a technical marvel that makes Wicked not only the film adaptation that fans only dreamt of, but one magical movie musical that defies gravity and expectations in every way imaginable!