After years of anticipation and excitement, “Wicked” debuted. Premiering on Nov. 21, everyone filled the theaters with high hopes as they sat down to watch the widely renowned Wizard of Oz spin-off. The movie is based on the book written in 1993 and the Broadway show, which initially premiered in 2003. Many people have been patiently waiting since 2022 for this release, and it was everything I could have ever wished for. However, this is only Part I, so many questions remain.
“Wicked” is set in the land of Oz, which may sound familiar because of “The Wizard of Oz.” The movie follows two characters, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande-Butera), as they head off to school at Shiz University. The film revolves around Elphaba and Glinda as they navigate their passions and figure out how they fit into the world. Elphaba, commonly known as The Wicked Wizard of the West, is seen in a completely different light that shines a whole new perspective on how a previously wicked wizard is portrayed. We also see Glinda, The Good Witch of the North, in an entirely new light. She almost reminded me of Gretchen from the movie “Mean Girls” as she came off as very rude and ignorant, but you could tell she was trying to do the right thing deep down. As the movie deepened and we got closer to the end, I could see their friendship grow deeper and deeper, even though they were only getting torn apart.
With a budget of 150 million dollars, I knew the cast would be astounding, but seeing it on the big screen only amazed me even more. I knew who Ariana Grande was, as she is a household name, but seeing Cynthia Eviro surprised me. I had never heard of her before and had no idea of her Broadway background until I stepped out of the theater in shock. There couldn’t have been a better casting choice for Elphaba, as Eviro’s voice is astounding. Her first solo in the movie is “The Wizard and I,” my jaw was on the floor when she hit the last note. I wanted to pull out my phone and listen to it repeatedly. Her voice is clear and crisp, providing a sense of calm while she can belt at an incredible range. However, her skill doesn’t stop at “The Wizard and I.” She manages to do a spectacular job with every single song. A household classic song in “Wicked” is “Defying Gravity,” she could not have done a single thing to make it better because it is perfect. The build-up for that song was astounding as she and Grande harmonized, and you could hear the emotion in their voices.
Not only did Erivo surprise me, but characters such as Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum made significant appearances. The performances produced by Yeoh and Goldblum were nothing short of spectacular, as their storylines made unexpected twists and turns, which were dramatically substantial to the plot line. Bailey also had an incredible performance as he played the main love interest, Fiyero Tigelaar. His role influenced the main characters, but he will be even more influential in Part II as there are some holes in his story. Bailey’s role has already catalyzed some events and will continue to make significant headway.
The set and costumes were also nothing short of perfect. When you picture the famous Emerald City, you can imagine the vibrant, glowing city. Now, picture something 10 times better. The film was mostly filmed at real life sets that were set at both real cities throughout Europe as well as thoughtfully curated sets at the Sky Studios in London. The munchkin land was filled with bright colors and exuberant characters, setting the scene for a lively place to live. The buildings were colorful and filled with life. The same can be said for the university that they attend, Shiz University. Every nook and cranny is filled with detail that adds to the story and a whimsical element to the school. The school has incredible architectural elements that deserve an award, as the details are out of this world. The details of the costumes are also mind-blowing. From the get-go, we see the munchkin costumes, which are whimsical and fun. Then, Elphaba and Glinda’s costumes ebb and flow with their feelings and character development. As Elphaba becomes more and more confident with her individuality, she opts for lighter colors rather than her typical black. And then, when things don’t go her way with Glinda, her pink dresses become more simplistic than the detailed extravagant gowns she would typically walk around in. No words can describe the talent that went into this film; you have to see it for yourself.
“Wicked” is easily one of the top five movies I have seen this year. It is filled with incredible talent, from the actors, the director, Jon Chu, and the set and costume designers. This film will take you to a new world and quickly immerse you in Oz. The film fulfilled all my expectations, which has set the bar incredibly high for Part II. I recommend this movie to everyone, as the talent alone will leave your jaw on the floor.
“Wicked:” ★★★★★
