I must confess, I am a *massive* Wicked fan.
To the point where I know the script and all the songs of this epic musical by heart. They’re deeply ingrained in my brain and are a part of my soul.
The stage musical is one of my all-time favourites and a theatrical phenomenon (despite not winning the Tony Award for Best Musical which I am still bitter about). I, like many, have resonated with Elphaba’s story, which in turn has helped me to get through the most difficult and darkest times.
I’ve seen Wicked 45 times and counting, enough to be concerned when it was announced that the beloved stage musical was going to be adapted into a movie. I was even more terrified when I had heard that the film adaptation would be separated into two parts.
My concerns were all for naught.
What director Jon M. Chu has created, with screenplay by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox, produced by Marc Platt and David Stone, and music by John Powell and Stephen Schwartz, based on the musical of the same name with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Winnie Holzman, is a loving cinematic rendition that respectfully pays tribute to the original stage musical source, all with fans in mind, while never alienating new viewers into the world of Wicked.
The film is but an expansion of the lore and world that we love. Nothing ever feels out of character or misplaced. Tackling important and relevant topics of love, friendship, family, abuse, bullying, peer pressure, prejudice, racism and corruption, the slight changes in the screenplay in comparison to the stage version feels welcomed, with more natural dialogue, more context to the story, refreshing musical arrangements that come with clever hinting motifs, and gorgeously designed costuming with new colours and styles that only enhance our favourite characters portrayals and personalities.
This film recreates the old Hollywood magic that I’ve come to know and love as a child, reminding me of kids films of the past including The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter (especially with the student arrival scene), David Bowie’s Labyrinth, and the very obvious 1939 technicolor masterpiece, The Wizard of Oz, all with its detailed stunning props, and intricate and colourful set design. This is the movie magic we’ve been waiting for.
Wicked also has a great cast who all sing in the film live, and provide fresh interpretations and unique touches to the characters we’ve been familiar with, like our own friends and family, for the past 21 years.
Ariana Grande is hilarious as the popular Glinda who attempts to be kind, means well, and is stylish and sassy as hell. Jonathan Bailey is the most dashing Fiyero we’ve ever seen and I appreciate that his character had everyone, regardless of gender, frothing for him during his signature song, ‘Dancing Through Life’. Peter Dinklage is a fine Doctor Dillamond, to the point where I didn’t even recognise his voice! He is that good. Jeff Goldblum appears fun, warm, smooth, quirky and dazzling as the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Plus, Michelle Yeoh is encouraging, supportive and feisty as Headmistress of Shiz University, Madame Morrible. Yeoh artfully paints the character in a new light, Chinese Auntie style, with some much needed depth and spirit.
And then there’s Cynthia Erivo. The Tony Award winning actress has powerfully made the role of Elphaba her own, even providing input on Elphaba’s appearance in the film. While many will be highly anticipating the iconic ‘Defying Gravity’ scene, which is spectacular in its own right, it is her version and scene of ‘The Wizard and I’ that really wowed me and brought me to tears.
Music wise, the rearrangements are awesome and the choreography, especially to musical numbers ‘What Is This Feeling?’ and ‘Dancing Through Life’, are jaw-droppingly good. Honestly, if this is what we’re getting with Part 1, I cannot wait for Part 2.
Wicked is undeniably faultless and is hands down the best stage-to-screen musical adaptation we’ve ever seen. With changes and choices made that only make the story better, this is a must-see experience in cinemas, regardless of whether you’ve seen the musical once before, a hundred times, or are witnessing the world of Wicked for the very first time through this film. For die-hard fans, there’s a lot to be excited about with little Easter eggs sprinkled throughout the film which many will recognise, appreciate, and will keep you coming back for more.
Wicked is truly wonderful and my heart is so full.