We strolled into the theater on a rainy winter night in the city to see Wicked with fairly neutral expectations. I was expecting a fun rendition of a beloved Broadway show that I have been singing along to as far back as middle school, long before seeing the Broadway stage show with my now-husband a couple of years back. Every new trailer that dropped in anticipation of this film made it seem, to me, like a sort of lackluster money-grab capitalizing on the popularity of the beloved musical.
I’m always happy to admit when I was wrong when I end up being pleasantly surprised, and in this case, I was not only very wrong, but also a little peeved at the person(s) who cut the trailers, which definitely undersold the movie and did not at all capture its vibrant color palette, rich set design, and laugh-out-loud humor. We were giggling the entire movie, particularly owing to G(a)linda’s (Ariana Grande) quips. Her comedic timing was unexpectedly delightful, and she put on a master class in emoting through her nuanced facial expressions.
The soundtrack, of course, is unbeatable except perhaps by the Original Broadway Cast (depending on who you ask, I imagine). The renditions are fresh and full of vocal talent that captures every bit of emotion of their respective characters.
The film has charmed viewers across the world, spawned memes, opened dialogues, and given birth to countless officially licensed brand partnerships looking to make Good off of the film’s prophesied box office dominance (Wicked-themed Bombas socks, anyone? How about a Wicked Pink Perfection Dual Ion Multi-Styler???). It’s an instant classic, and we could ask for little more from it.
The chemistry between Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo as Glinda and Elphaba sparkles on- and off-screen (see any number of viral moments from the incredibly memeable Wicked press tour), bringing fresh nuance to these iconic roles while honoring the classic stage show performances that came before them. Easter eggs abound and eagle-eyed fans and readers of articles written by eagle-eyed fans alike will delight in peeling back the many layers of the first installment in this tale of Oz.
Speaking of which, we’re so thankful that the decision was made to split this adaptation into two parts. While we haven’t read allegedly *ahem* very interesting 1995 book by Gregory Maguire, we know from the Broadway show that there is, well, a LOT going on here, and the film’s pacing allows for the character development and relationship-building that Glinda and Elphaba deserve.
The costume design also deserves special mention – each outfit tells its own story, from Glinda’s evolution through various shades of pink to Elphaba’s IDGAF I-only-wear-black aesthetic.
Director Jon M. Chu has crafted something that works both as a faithful adaptation for die-hard theatre kids and an accessible entry point for newcomers to the story. It’s a delicate balance that few stage-to-screen adaptations manage to achieve (sorry, Les Mis and Cats), but “Wicked” defies gravity by making it look effortless.
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