Wicked would not be the magical movie it is if it wasn’t for the music. The songs honor the original Broadway musical with a few unique additions, such as the key changes in “Popular” and the explanation of the history of Oz in “One Short Day.”
At surface level, Wicked (2024) appears to be a fun and frilly movie– which it is! But, it also manifests underlying themes of friendship, finding yourself, and standing up for what you believe in. This is shown through imaginative world building, incredible acting, and moving songs. Wicked had a tough legacy to live up to, as it is based on the classic movie The Wizard of Oz and it is the movie adaptation of a book and beloved Broadway musical running for over a decade. However, it succeeded in matching the iconic quality of its predecessors.
The moment the movie begins, the audience is immersed in the vibrant Land of Oz. Elaborate sets create a magical setting; especially Shiz University, where Glinda and Elphaba go to school, along with the Emerald City, which boasts detailed architecture. Most of the set was built in real life as opposed to being generated with CGI, making the Land of Oz feel real. The costuming perfectly characterizes each person; from Madame Morrible’s regal dresses, to the Shiz University students’ playful uniforms. Bubbly, positive Glinda is always found wearing pink, and serious Elphaba in black. The costumes of the Emerald City Players (including two delightful cameos, the Wiz-O-Mania Superstars) are so thoughtfully crafted that it almost appears they were made of paper.
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo bring their characters to life through their fantastic acting. Ariana Grande brings depth to the rather self-centered, unaware Glinda with her acting choices. Every expression and line delivery perfectly aligns with Glinda’s personality. The excitement she brings to Glinda in that scene brought me so much joy as a viewer. Ariana Grande makes an otherwise mean character lovable and relatable, which is a difficult job to take on. Cynthia Erivo does an amazing job. She plays Elphaba who is a guarded character who cares deeply about her beliefs. Her acting is so purposeful that it makes her every move feel genuine. The commitment that the pair of actresses put into this movie is evident.
Wicked would not be the magical movie it is if it wasn’t for the music. The songs honor the original Broadway musical with a few unique additions, such as the key changes in “Popular” and the explanation of the history of Oz in “One Short Day.” The vocals, as mentioned before, are especially impressive because the actors sang live on set, rather than recording audio over the video. Grande’s vocals are incredibly impressive, especially in the musical’s opening song, “No One Mourns the Wicked.” and her most notorious song, “Popular.” Erivo’s and Grande’s voices blend together beautifully, especially in “Defying Gravity” and “What is This Feeling.” My personal favorite song is “The Wizard and I;” not only because it is a breathtaking scene to watch, but also because its music is vivid and its lyrics are incredibly profound. I especially enjoyed watching “One Short Day,” since the scene had so much going on, but the chaos captured the wonders of the Emerald City perfectly. The choreography enhances the extravagance of the musical scenes: a perfect balance between being interesting, yet not too complicated.
I have very few critiques of Wicked, but I do feel that some supporting characters were underdeveloped and, honestly, a bit random. Fiyero appears at Shiz with little background or explanation. The only background provided on Boq is that he’s a Munchkin but nothing about his personality or behavior. To me, Fiyero and Boq only exist in relation to Elphaba and Glinda, rather than being characters that stand alone.
Beyond the amazing sets, actors, and music, Wicked holds a meaningful message about staying true to who you are. Elphaba struggles to fit in before realizing that conforming isn’t worth neglecting her beliefs. Despite being mocked, she learns to be proud and sure of who she is. And, by being herself, she finds friendship in Glinda; a friendship that changes them both, for good.
Wicked director Jon M. Chu did a fantastic job at utilizing the talents of Grande and Erivo to create a movie with power and meaning while keeping it lighthearted and enjoyable. Wicked was only the first act of the Broadway show, and fans can expect a second movie, titled Wicked: For Good, in 2025. This movie is altogether quite impossible to describe, and I would recommend Wicked to anyone who loves musicals, magic, and a good story.