The fortunate ones who’ve seen “Wicked” on stage may quibble in regards to the additional padding, the abundance of particular results in Jon M. Chu’s movie model. Simply recover from it. There’s actually no have to get nitpicky about his buoyant display screen reimagining of this musical that owes a lot of its origin to the Bay Space. That’s as a result of what’s up onscreen is completely enchanting, a big-screen musical extravaganza that whisks you away from on a regular basis cares, and belts it out in any respect the suitable occasions.
With the well-cast three leads, catchy songs from Stephen Schwartz and peppy route, “Wicked” casts an intoxicating spell that holds you from its opening “Wizard of Oz” homage to a showstopping efficiency of its liberating anthem, “Defying Gravity.” Chu throws out all of the stops for that , and it suitably closes out the primary leg on this two-parter (The sequel us due out Nov. 21, 2025).
Broadway will get lots of credit score for “Wicked,” however creator Gregory Maguire is chargeable for creating this multi-messaging origin story that dishes on what made the inexperienced Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) so at odds with many within the merry outdated land of Oz, and what made Galinda (Ariana Grande) — ultimately Glinda (one of many movie’s greatest jokes) — so cursed good.
What if, although, Elphaba was the one who emanated genuine goodness and Glinda was a little bit of a device, much more involved about look and recognition (among the best numbers within the musical)? That theme produces an eternal parable for all ages about how being bullied and sneered at takes an unimaginable toll, and may summon a tsunami-like energy and fury.
Erivo channels that goodness and rage, the previous simply simmering, with aplomb when she inadvertently enlists along with her sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode) at Shiz College. Her classmates wince and switch away every time they see the inexperienced Elphaba, together with image-conscious Galinda. The 2 ultimately wind up roommates however can’t stand one another. They bond and each eye a dandy of a prince named Fiyero Tiggular (Jonathan Bailey, enlivening each scene he’s in) who additionally dashes into the college. In the meantime, Elphaba catches the attention of headmistress Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) and even the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum).
The expertise trifecta of Erivo, Grande and Bailey make all of the song-and-dance routines true showpieces; they’re energetic, toe-tapping and beg to be rewatched. However it’s a young dance sequence between Erivo and Grande that manages to deliver a lump to the throat.
Erivo provides dramatic heft to the half and has a hovering voice, however it’s Grande who’s the espresso within the manufacturing, and she or he’s sensational in each scene, one hair flip after one other.
Different performances are good, however undergo when the actors — Yeoh and, extra particularly, Goldblum — can’t handle to sing to the rafters. They simply don’t have the pipes that the three leads do, and it’s typically obtrusive. On the plus facet, authentic Broadway leads Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel pop in for a cameo.
Chu, although, populates “Wicked” with a lot spectacle — from the forests, to Oz itself and so forth — that the visitor cameos appear extra like minor distractions (the particular results are certainly particular). However a 3rd of the way in which in “Wicked” will get snarled in a longish stretch of exposition that slows the tempo down. Don’t fear, it doesn’t final.
“Wicked” marks Chu’s second big-screen musical (after 2021’s sorely neglected “In the Heights”), and the Palo Alto native is easing on down that yellow brick street towards establishing himself as the brand new wizard of the film musical. Most definitely his “Wicked” — simply as Victor Fleming’s superior “The Wizard of Oz” did — possesses a coronary heart, a mind and the braveness of its personal imaginative and prescient. Higher than all that it has a soul and a spirit that may captivate generations of movie lovers. Particulars: 3½ stars out of 4; in theaters Nov. 22.
Contact Randy Myers at soitsrandy@gmail.com.
‘WICKED,’ PART I
3½ stars
Ranking: PG (delicate scary motion, thematic points; transient suggestive materials)
Starring: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey
Director: Jon M. Chu
Working time: 2 hours, 20 minutes
When & the place: Opens Nov. 22 in theaters (Half II scheduled for launch November 2025)
Initially Printed:
