The excitement for “Wicked” has been building since rumors anticipating the movie surfaced in 2016, fueled by controversies like AI-generated movie posters, a star cast, and brand collaborations with companies including Casetify, Crocs, and Stanley. The anticipation all ended on Nov. 22 when the film was released, so I decided to see what all the hype was about.
The movie offers a fresh perspective to the classic “Wizard of Oz” by exploring the backstories of the iconic Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba, and the Good Witch, Glinda. By delving into their backstories, “Wicked” challenges Elphaba’s misunderstood motives, forcing viewers to get rid of simplistic labels like “good” and “wicked” to better understand the history and portrayal of the characters. The strong visuals and emotional depth bring the audience into a fantasy world, but the three-hour runtime and cliffhanger ending leave them wanting more.
The movie opens with a celebration of Elphaba’s death before flashing back to her early childhood. I was hooked. Almost immediately, it becomes clear that “Wicked” strives to reframe the audience’s perception of Elphaba. Played by Cynthia Erivo, Elphaba is portrayed as far more sympathetic, brave, and free- thinking—a sharp contrast to the Wicked Witch of the West in “The Wizard of Oz,” who is a true antagonist: cruel, manipulative, and power-hungry.
Through flashbacks, we learn that Elphaba’s green skin was caused by a magical potion her mother drank while pregnant and that her father rejects her because of her appearance. Her father paid more attention to Elphaba’s sister, Nessarose, whose legs were paralyzed from complications during birth. A bear, working as their nanny, took care of Elphaba. Growing up, she didn’t have many friends and was bullied for being green.
Elphaba’s journey continues at Shiz University, where she learns to harness her powers and eventually forms an unlikely friendship with her roommate, Glinda, played by Ariana Grande. Ariana embodies Glinda’s bubbly, self-centered character with dramatic hair flips. Her diva-like behavior brings comedic relief, especially her obsession with the pronunciation of her name. She takes it so seriously that it becomes unintentionally funny.
The contrast between Glinda’s obnoxious pink color palette and Elphaba’s green skin and dark aesthetic visually underscores their differences. On the surface, Glinda seems “good” and quickly becomes admired by her classmates, while Elphaba is initially feared by her peers.
Glinda tries to embarrass Elphaba by advising her to wear the iconic witch hat to a dance party. When she arrives and begins dancing, everyone moves back,whispers,and awkwardly stares at her.
I was crying here— although the rest of the audience did not flinch. Glinda eventually feels guilty for being cruel to Elphaba and is the first to join her on the dancefloor. This signals the beginning of their friendship.
The movie incorporates many songs from the original musical of the same name, which debuted in October 2003 and has spent over 21 years on Broadway. Initially, I was overwhelmed by the movie’s songs and flash mob dancing, but as “Wicked” progressed, they became more enjoyable and were better spaced out. In the Broadway musical, the songs, while great, do not have all the same visual effects that come with being a cinema production. During the song “Defying Gravity,” for example, Broadway pulled out all the stops to make the scene come to life, but the movie was much more realistic.
Visually, “Wicked” embraces fantasy elements, creating a magical world. I watched it in 3D and would recommend you do the same. It brought the scenes to life and really put me into the world of the movie.
However, the movie’s greatest flaw is its ending—or lack thereof. I was unaware going into the movie that this was only part one of a two- part adaptation. After three hours of buildup, the abrupt conclusion left me unsatisfied. Elphaba was the only character to not fall for the fraud of the Wizard of Oz, who attempts to eradicate animal voices, or oppose and question whether his actions were for the common good .Elphaba exhibited increasing bravery and care towards animals and others, who, like her, are misjudged based on their appearance. But ending with her flying away on her broom— although a grand scene with her cloak—did not give her the full justice she deserved.
“Wicked” doesn’t just reimagine a familiar Broadway story; it further challenges our perceptions of heroism and villainy, leaving us questioning what is truly good or wicked. It is clear Elphaba’s journey is far from over. I’m ready for part two.
OVERALL RATING: 4.3/5
