The new movie musical Wicked has been breaking records in the country as the highest grossing movie based on a musical to ever hit the theaters. The film was highly rated by critics, getting an 8.1/10 on IMDb and 89% on Rotten Tomatoes. It is based on the Broadway musical that premiered in 2003, and the book from 1995 Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire. The movie also references the original Wizard of Oz from 1939.
The story is about a young woman named Elphaba Thropp in the land of Oz, who was born with green skin and becomes good friends with a girl named Glinda. It follows her struggles with mockery, fear, and morals. As the movie progresses, the audience learns how Elphaba eventually becomes the Wicked Witch of the West.
The movie is a beautiful adaptation of the original musical, with great additions to the Broadway version. The sets and costuming added details that were never available on stage and help to clarify some of the plotlines.
Wicked is split into two parts, with the first running at two hours and forty minutes. The second is set to release in theaters at the end of 2025. The musical runs at only two hours and forty-five minutes all the way through.
Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba, does a wonderful job tackling the difficult vocals in this production, and she gives the character the depth that we see in the musical. Her co-star, Ariana Grande, plays the role of Glinda, giving the character her bubbly personality. The original roles were played by Idina Menzel as Elphaba, who is known for voicing Elsa in Frozen, and Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda, who has been featured in movies such as Descendants.
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And, of course, what would Wicked be without the iconic songs such as “Defying Gravity” and “Popular.” All of the songs included in the movie were brought over from the musical, and the actors did a wonderful job with them. Songs like “Dancing Through Life” and “One Short Day” have show-stopping choreography by Christopher Scott, who also choreographed Teen Beach Movie for Disney, that makes the film even more visually appealing. The music is fun to watch throughout the whole movie, moving through ballads and dance numbers.
Some things, however, can not be completely captured in the movie. In the stage show, audiences first hear the song “No One Mourns the Wicked,” which is enough to give audiences chills. The music definitely hits harder live, and the blackout after “Defying Gravity” to end the first act leaves audiences in awe. While the music sounds beautiful in the movie, it is unable to fully capture the pull of the stage musical. Overall, the movie is visually stunning with songs and characters that beautifully capture the original to a high degree. Whether you are a Broadway lover, or just wanting a movie to go see over the weekend, Wicked is a wonderful choice.