On Nov. 22, the long-awaited film adaptation of “Wicked” finally hit theaters. After holding space for “Defying Gravity” and basking in the musical theater glow, “Wicked” is sure to become one of the most memorable movie musicals of the modern day. Complete with fan-favorite cameos, massive ensemble dances and colors that burst out of the screen, paired with a packed cast, impressive vocals and stunning cinematography, “Wicked” is a film for the books.
In case you are not familiar, the decades-old musical “Wicked” originally premiered on Broadway with Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth playing the leading roles in 2003. The story follows the origins of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch from the book “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” prior to Dorothy’s arrival. The green-skinned Elphaba, played by Cynthia Erivo, meets Glinda, played by Ariana Grande, at Shiz University, and the two start off as enemies before forming a fierce friendship, although their desires for the future remain in conflict. Despite this, Glinda looks back on Elphaba as a friend, mourning her death at the top of the show — Wicked is told nonchronologically, starting at the end of the story before turning back time to when Elphaba and Glinda first meet. The rest of the film follows their experiences at Shiz University, meeting the Wizard of Oz and discovering the terrible secrets of their land. But if you fell for the less-than-honorable marketing strategies of “Wicked,” the opening sequence makes it clear that this is only part one of the story, with part two set to come out Nov. 21, 2025.
While the Broadway version of “Wicked” is stellar on its own, the movie musical makes the most of the cinematic form to include huge ensemble dances, dynamic camera movements and extreme close-up shots. One of the biggest benefits of moving this musical off the stage and in front of the camera is that the actors can have more fun with the songs without the pressure of a live audience. Grande, in particular, can constantly be found doing literal gymnastics, jumping and twirling across the screen, which may not have worked onstage with the demands of live singing.
The choreography also shines on screen far more than it could on a smaller stage. Christopher Scott, known for choreographing Disney Channel hits like “Teen Beach Movie” and “Austin and Ally,” once again nails the movement for the screen. The choreography is sharp and massive, relying on seemingly endless dancers to move in time with one another without overshadowing the leads. Scott’s choreography in “Dancing Through Life” and “One Short Day” is particularly innovative, integrating set pieces and dancers seamlessly.
Another benefit of making this musical into a movie is the extensive world-building. In the Broadway staged version, Oz almost feels confined to the four walls of the theater. However, with additional scenes, backstory and characters included in the movie, most of the two hours of content help to create a better fleshed-out world.
It goes without saying that Grande and Erivo excelled in their leading roles. While Grande’s Glinda uses a lot of physical comedy and draws your attention in any wide shot, Erivo’s Elphaba carries all her emotions in her eyes, giving much-needed depth to the film in every close-up.
One of the most interesting parts of a movie like “Wicked” is the political and societal themes that can be drawn from its narrative. Primarily, the idea of manipulating a devastated population to place their trust and well-being in a so-called “miracle maker” and creating a scapegoat to instill fear in society is especially timely. “Wicked,” like many other films of the 21st century, calls into question America’s willingness to buy into a charismatic leader who puts his own desires ahead of what’s best for society. “Wicked” warns us to pay attention to who we give our trust (and our votes) and will surely remain relevant for years to come.
Despite the powerful messages within the show, “Wicked” suffers from comparisons to its beloved Broadway predecessor. In efforts to pay homage to the original Broadway show, some choices made in the film feel out of place, such as the extended “Defying Gravity” number where you cannot help but question “Why is she holding the broom like that?” While Grande shines in her physical comedy, some jokes and movements are overdone, distracting viewers from the film itself. And, of course, like many musicals, the more you think about plot and writing, the more it becomes clear that this musical about witches and lands beyond our imagination simply does not make sense.
And yet, “Wicked” is an outstanding film, quickly cementing itself in movie musical history. From the acting performances to the choreography to the timeliness of this film, “Wicked” is a wonderful experience for everyone.
