Dear Wicked, You Were Just Too Good

Review of the Movie “Wicked”

Photo by Nidhi Ponnaganti/Maclay Andalusian

SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

“Wicked,” the movie, is part one of an on-screen adaptation of the Broadway musical. The musical is a prequel to the widely famous “Wizard of Oz.” It follows Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda the good witch. The origin story explores the unlikely friendship the girls form and the societal challenges that surround them. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the movie debuted on Nov. 22. It’s a box office hit and has made more money than any other movie based on a musical.

The musical follows Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), who constantly faces insults due to her abnormal green skin color. Her journey from insecure to self-love is rewarding for viewers to see. In the movie, the revelation of corruption by those in power is handled in a way that makes viewers attentive. The “villains” use of the line painting Elphaba as a wicked witch leaves a lasting, upsetting impact, even though audiences already know that's her fate. A major plot point is Elphaba and Glinda’s (Ariana Grande) complex friendship, which the movie expertly displays, capturing how societal roles strain it when Glinda ultimately doesn't follow Elphaba. The romance of this movie added unpredictability. Initially, Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), the male lead, is with Glinda, but as his personality unfolds, his compatibility with Elphaba grows stronger, showing things aren't always as they seem when he falls for her instead. By the end, viewers are left questioning their views of good and evil. In the “Wizard of the Oz,” Elphaba is the villain, but in “Wicked,” she’s a victim—a good person falsified as a villain.

The performance given by the actors was truly emotional and compelling. The expressions they wear along with their voice control, marvelously contribute to the storyline. In “No One Mourns the Wicked,” Glinda, though singing lyrics celebrating her friend’s death, uses her expressions to show it isn't something she's content with. When Glinda and Elphaba sing together, the blending of their voices compliment each other, just how their characters are supposed to. Throughout the movie, both actresses’ performances were authentic and genuine. In the last scene of “Wicked,” the way Erivo delivers her high note highlights the progression of her character. She sings it powerfully, skillfully conveying her character’s intent, no longer tolerating the injustice around her. Even the side actors as well as the ensemble did terrific, with the “What is This Feeling” segment being extremely catchy. The casting choices were an excellent fit overall.

The direction of this movie was absolutely magical, displaying incredible cinematography. The engaging choreography always complements the energy of the scenes. The set designs for the movie were phenomenal; they matched the wonder expected from a universe like Oz. The lighting of the movie was the perfect amount of color. The costumes reflected the characters' personalities with hidden elements that were fun to spot. The blending of serious and humorous moments was a clever way to acknowledge the tone of the universe it's set in. The foreshadowing for what’s to come in part two, as well as references to “The Wizard of Oz,” was fun to catch. The directing that went into this movie and the background elements played a huge role in making it what it is.

While the movie falls slightly short with it being long and having unresolved elements due to its split into two parts, overall it was still a captivating cinematic experience. The imagery was mesmerizing, easily luring viewers in. Its message, relevant to today's society, and the way it was conveyed is what made the film memorable. The choreography and cinematography were beautifully executed. It's a true homage to the Broadway version of it as well as to “The Wizard of Oz.”

<Star Rating>

Plot: ★★★★★

Theme: ★★★★★

Acting/Singing: ★★★★★

Cinematography: ★★★★★

Humor: ★★★★★

Romance: ★★★★★ 

Overall: ★★★★★