Wicked (Part 1) (PG)
Directed by: Jon M. Chu
Starring: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Review by: Julian Wright
In 1939’s The Wizard of Oz, Glinda and the Wicked Witch only had a brief interaction in Munchkinland, but Wicked, first a novel, then beloved Broadway musical, now big-screen adaptation, poses an intricate backstory.
What if these two were once friends and the Wicked Witch wasn’t wicked at all – or at least, didn’t start out that way?
Cynthia Arivo dons the green makeup as Elphaba and Ariana Grande slips into the pink outfits as Glinda for the highly anticipated latest version of this bit of Oz history.
Elphaba was born with green skin, making her a familial and societal outcast, but she has magic powers brewing that only unleash when she is angry.
When she accompanies her sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode) to Shiz University, a school for spell-casting, she unintentionally demonstrates her unbridled powers and is immediately taken under the wing of headmistress Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh).
Elphaba is forced to room with well-meaning prima donna with diva tendencies, Glinda, and the two immediately clash before realising a bond.
But their friendship is soon tested over the charming Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) and Elphaba’s activist tendencies.
Wicked is much more than fan service for The Wizard of Oz fans with a handful of easter eggs (though many familiar elements are cleverly woven throughout, like the poppies); it explores a complex and richly textured friendship between two women dealing with social injustices.
Plus, some catchy tunes.
There are hints of Clueless, Legally Blonde, Mean Girls, Harry Potter and Carrie and yet Wicked avoids coming off as lazy duplication of each, due to its unwavering focus on the nuances of its own characters, their relationships and its world-building.
Wicked builds on the world established in The Wizard of Oz, revisiting established locations (now more spectacular than before with the 2024 makeover treatment) and bringing us to new locations, which still feel like they are from the Land of Oz we have come to know and love.
(One slight quibble is the high speed train that Glinda rides – yet years later, doesn’t suggest this mode of transportation to Dorothy for her journey to see the Wizard? Seems a bit rude.)
One of the most impressive things about Wicked are the sets. Of course, there are CGI enhancements, but the use of physical, man-made buildings, that are so beautifully and intricately designed, gives Wicked a sense of realism amid the fantasy, which is a key element in how engaging it is.
This choice really sets Wicked aside from the other blockbusters where the actors have clearly been standing on an empty sound stage with the backdrop added in later.
Wicked is definitely Arivo’s movie – the story is about her character – and she is incredible, being able to pull off all the complex emotions her character experiences and provide her amazing vocals.
But the biggest pleasant surprise is Ariana Grande, who delivers one of this year’s finest comedic performances, from her amusing line deliveries to her spoiled little girl quips and pouts – all while still remaining likeable.
There is always an innocence to her selfish and self-centred actions.
Here, Ariana displays on-screen charisma that Reese Witherspoon and Sandra Bullock carved entire careers out of. Watch this space.
Wicked is a grand old time that values story and character as much as spectacle and builds to a powerful conclusion before hitting us with that final message “To be continued…”
Part 2 is already my most anticipated movie of 2025.
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