"Wicked" Earns Four of Five Stars

As someone unfamiliar with the Wicked Broadway show or its source material, I approached this film with a fresh perspective. While many viewers were drawn to the familiar characters and iconic songs, I watched this not knowing anything.

Courtesy Universal Pictures

Wicked offers a twist on the classic tale of the Wizard of Oz. The film is now screening at the Eagle Ridge Mall 12.

Based on Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel, Wicked offers a prequel to L. Frank Baum's classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the film stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, the misunderstood "Wicked Witch of the West," and Ariana Grande as Glinda, the bubbly "Good Witch."

Elphaba, has been born with unusual green skin and has some magical abilities. She goes to school at Shiv University and learns magic with Glenda, who is privileged and popular. Elphaba has been mistrusted and misjudged her whole life and is not well liked. At first these two women clash as their backgrounds and personalities are a mismatch, but eventually they begin to form a friendship. There are two good instances in the movie where they come through for each other. However politics and circumstances drive them apart towards the end.

One of the film's strengths lies in its exploration of morality and the complexities of human nature. Wicked challenges our preconceived notions of good and evil, suggesting that circumstances and societal pressures can shape even the most virtuous individuals. Elphaba, a young woman with extraordinary abilities, is ostracized and judged solely on her appearance. Her unlikely friendship with Glinda, who is also judged a bit incorrectly based on her appearance, provides a heartwarming contrast to the world's harsh realities.

One of the lessons in the story has to do with not trusting some of what you've been told your whole life. Sometimes the truth is much more complicated. This is especially evident in the story surrounding the wizard. The people of Oz almost worship him like a deity but we of course know that he is a "humbug" and the revelation of this is as startling here as it is to Dorothy.

The film boasts a stellar cast, including Michelle Yeoh as one of the professors, Jeff Goldblum as the wizard, and Peter Dinklage giving voice to a goat. The performances are captivating, and the musical numbers are both visually stunning and emotionally resonant. The production design is lavish, transporting viewers to a vibrant and fantastical world.

My favorite part about the movie was Jonathan Bailey who plays Fiyero because I love him from Bridgerton.

Courtesy Universal Pictures

Wicked stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba Thropp and Ariana Grande-Butera as Galinda Upland.

The pacing is a bit slow or uneven at times. You can tell that some parts were stretched so that two movies could be made. I enjoyed this but didn't love it.

We have to talk about "Easter eggs". I loved these. There are several nods and throwbacks to previous incarnations of the Oz stories. First of all the magic slippers are silver again as they were in the original book. They became "ruby" for the 1939 movie. However the ruby slippers and three clicks do make a brief appearance. There is a scene where Elphaba rides a bike very similar to the bike you see Mrs Gulch ride in the original movie. I hear a few Margaret Hamilton type cackles throughout the movie as well. The wizard's use of technology is very much a nod to the Great and Powerful Oz movie that came out a few years ago. There are plenty others.

This movie is part 1 of a two-part story.Part two is expected to be released next year. However because this has been a book and a Broadway musical for so long everybody knows the ending but me and most have not hesitated to write some of what happens in other reviews. I will not add a spoiler here even though I know some of it now.

I highly recommend watching this. It is a worthy addition to the Oz / Frank Baum universe. I plan to read the book, listen to the soundtrack a few times before I watch this movie again in preparation for part two.

Wicked is a visually impressive and emotionally impactful film. It's also beautiful and fun. It's a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and the importance of empathy and understanding. The film is now being screened at the Regal 12 Cinema at Eagle Ridge Mall.

I look forward to part two.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars