- WICKED – PART ONE
- Starring: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande and Jeff Goldblum
- Directed by: Jon M. Chu
- Rated: PG
- Running time: 2 hrs 41 mins
- Universal
Our Score: 5 out ot 5
Sometimes when you get your hopes up, they get dashed, especially when it comes to movie musicals. For every “West Side Story,” you get a “Cats.” For every “Les Miserables,” you get a “Cats.” For every “La La Land” you get, well… “Cats.” So you can imagine my trepidation as I sat down to see “Wicked.” Thankfully, there was nothing to worry about.
Based on the still-running 2003 Broadway show of the same name, “Wicked” tells the story of two very different people whose lives are inevitably linked in Pop Culture. The film begins with what could almost be a coda to “The Wizard of Oz.” The wicked witch of the West has been killed and the residents of Oz are celebrating. They are visited by Glinda (Grande), a beautiful witch who floats along in a bubble. She confirms the witch’s death and begins to leave. Before she can make her escape she is asked, “is it true that you and the wicked witch were once friends?” And the story begins.
Where to start? Among my fears was that devoting over two and half hours to the first act of the show, which only runs for ninety minutes on Broadway, would fill the screen with unnecessary clutter and nonsense. But director Chu fills the screen with wonderful scenery, none of it wasted space. He keeps the film moving at such a pace that you don’t realize you’ve spent nearly three hours sitting in the dark.
The cast is top notch. As an “old guy” I am not familiar with any of Ariana Grande’s music. That being said, I was blown away by her voice. She also gives Glinda a likability that other actresses may not have been able to exude. As Elphaba, the future wicked witch, Erivo excels at keeping the character grounded. She has a sense of humor, which you most certainly need when you are green. Her performance gives Elphaba a humanity that the audience can relate to. It’s not her that’s bad, it’s those that bully her.
The film also has an inner message about accepting those around you and treating them as you would like to be treated, a message that is often forgotten in today’s world. Fans of “The Wizard of Oz” will find many Easter Eggs and homages to the 1939 film. And fans of the original Broadway show may even see some familiar faces.
But it’s the music that makes “Wicked” what it is, and each and every song are presented magnificently. Both Glinda and Elphaba are iconic roles and it would have been easy for the cast, especially Ms. Grande and Ms. Erivo, to play it safe and sing the songs in the style familiar with audiences. But both of them bring a new spin to the songs. Even if you’re a fan of the show you feel like you are hearing these songs for the first time.
If you can’t tell by the title, “Wicked” is being presented in two parts, with part two hitting theatres next November. Take it from me and get in line now!
On a scale of zero to five, I give “Wicked – Part One” ★★★★★