Film Review: Wicked (Part 1)

Review by Daz Gale

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You would have had to have been swept away in a tornado and landed in a completely different world to not know that Wicked has been released in cinemas this week. With publicity taking over the world and collaborations with every conceivable brand you can think of, escape has been near impossible and for good reason as this film has been eagerly anticipated for more years than the average film, particularly when it comes to lovers of the stage musical. With hopes sky high and a seemingly unlimited amount of promotion, would Wicked prove to defy expectations?

Since opening on Broadway in 2003, Wicked has gone on to be an unstoppable force, opening in the West End 3 years later where it is now the 10th longest-running show of all time. That might seem impressive until you learn it holds the title of the 4th longest-running show on Broadway. The film adaptation was first announced in 2012 and for the longest time felt like it might not ever happen as continued delays and a lot of nothing left many doubting we would see it in our lifetime. The day has finally arrived though… for half of it at least, as the first of two movies is out in cinema with Part 2 following next year.

Telling the story of the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard Of Oz, Wicked attempts to paint her as not the villain of the story, explaining what happened before Dorothy arrived in Oz and immediately went on a killing spree, murdering Elphaba’s sister and then deciding the entire family needed to go (that’s how I interpret the story anyway). Wicked Part 1 focuses on Elphaba’s time at Shiz University with fellow future Witch Glinda. As they are called to the Emerald City to meet the Wizard, a test of Elphaba’s powers shows who the real enemy of the story and sets Elphaba on her flightpath to a destiny she never expected.

Before I get into the success (as my star rating may have given it away) of this movie, I want to share a bit of my own story when it comes to Wicked. I cite this as the gateway musical for me – the one that made me develop my love of theatre and is pretty much directly responsible for this website existing and the many questionable reviews I have written here over the past five years (with apologies). I could count the number of times I had been to the theatre in my life on one hand up until I saw Wicked. Though I loved theatre, it wasn’t something that played a huge part of my life. As posters went up announcing Broadway Wicked was opening in the West End, my friend excitedly shared the good news with me as I ignorantly replied “What the Hell is Wicked?”. The next thing I knew he had played me ‘Defying Gravity’ and life was never the same again.

It took a year of the show being open in the West End before I finally got to see it for the first time back in 2007, and something changed within me during it. I realised just how powerful theatre can be with the pure escapism and absolute magic filling my heart with wonder. I still cite that end of act one is pure theatre magic and exemplifies the very best of it. In the years since, I have shared this show with anyone who is near and dear to me – though everyone I shared the show with is no longer in my life, the memories still are. Through the various friendships and relationships I built and lost, Wicked remained a contributing factor and I keep the sentiments of ‘For Good’ (which won’t be seen until Part 2) with me. Indeed, this show will always be with me like a handprint on my heart, and the 33 times I have seen the show on stage so far provides the one constant in an ever-changing world. So it’s fair to say this musical is a big deal to me. While my excitement for the film version has bubbled away in the years since it was first announced, there was also a great sense of trepidation as I worried it would never do the show justice. The last thing I wanted was to come out of the theatre deflated that it hadn’t lived up to my hopes. I needn’t have worried – never in my wildest dreams could I have predicted the movie would be THIS good.

It would have been easy to follow the yellow brick road down a safe path which sticks closely to the original musical. After all, it is tried and tested and very clearly works with the only thing to consider how to transition the material and story from stage to screen. However, bold choices have been made in the storytelling with changes to lines, lyrics characterisations and how certain events transpire. Examples including a softer Fiyero upon his first meeting with Elphaba sets up a different type of chemistry that will develop in Part 2 and even the initial dynamic between Glinda and Elphaba differs to that on stage. Rather than attempt to replicate the stage, this is very much its own entity with the intent to forge its own path in the world. It does run the risk of a mob of Wicked purists chastising the changes with their pitchforks, but I suspect the vast majority of people will be won over by the brains, heart and courage this movie has taken in its very distinct and individual way of telling the story with no one mourning what has been lost in translation (even if certain fan favourite lines didn’t make the cut).

While it does make changes, it also pays tribute to the stage version, throwing in plenty of nods and references to it. Wicked is a film full of Easter eggs that will lend itself well to repeat viewing and thrillify anyone who has had the pleasure of seeing the show on stage. Fleeting nods to on stage movements are peppered throughout but it is in the cameos from (HUGE SPOILER ALERT skip to the next paragraph if you don’t want to know) the original Elphaba and Glinda, Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth that realty bridges the gap between stage and screen, with their whole performance filled with references to the show – their story of Oz is very nearly a fourth wall breaking story of the stage show, and it is glorious. In light of recent musicals hiding the fact that they are, in fact musicals (Hi Mean Girls), Wicked wears the fact proudly, never acting ashamed and, in turn, making this movie a love letter to all who have loved this little green show for the last 21 years.

Part 1 of Wicked lasts for as long as the entire musical does on stage. When this was announced, some questioned how that could even be possible and what they would use to fill the story with – though there is plenty from Gregory Maguire’s original novel that may shock audiences who only know Wicked from the stage show. There is never a sense of anything dragging or plodding on with a running time that flies by faster than Elphaba racing a monkey. Characters and storylines are expanded on, giving room to breathe and enriching the story overall. The mythology of Oz is built upon with a particularly nice touch being the added significance of The Grimmerie. This world-building creates a rich and textured world that does what the stage production is unable to do through its limitations.

Crucially, the success in Wicked is in how beautiful it is. The filming of this is stunning to watch unfold and regularly took my breath away, as early as the opening moments in ‘No One Mourns The Wicked’ showing Oz in its entirety for all its grandeur up until the climactic moments of ‘Defying Gravity’ featuring a shot of Elphaba in her cape that will very clearly become instantly iconic and timeless in generations to come. Jon M Chu was very clearly the perfect person to direct this person with careful thought and consideration been given to every choice made - tributes paid to the original show highlight his passion for the material, while never being afraid to send the story off in its own ways and never failing in his attempts to do so. Every beat of this movie lands, regularly soaring to the highest heights. The meticulous attention to detail given to telling this story is clear to see as is his own unadulterated loving of this story and the iterations of it that have been shown before, with not just the stage production getting its own references, but the nods to The Wizard Of Oz being expanded upon too. The best use of this is in the classroom scene with the lion cub that differentiates from the show completely in a touch that is not only inspired but pure genius.

There is no attempt to replicate sequences from the stage show, instead getting their own choreography and, I never thought I’d say this, but it’s even better. The biggest example is in ‘What Is This Feeling’ which features stunning new choreography currently taking social media by storm, and rightly so. ‘Dancing Through Life’ is an absolute monster of a sequence, with its magical, revolving library lending itself well to some of the most gorgeous shots in the entire movie. Even ‘Something Bad’, a number that struggles to capture my attention in the show has been improved with some genius new touches. ‘Popular’ is every bit as joyous as expected, using the original routine as a launchpad to take it to stratospheric levels. Speaking of, that brings us to ‘Defying Gravity’ – surely one of the most iconic numbers in musical theatre and THAT magical moment in the performance is beautifully referenced in this sequence. For years I wondered how they would pull this number off and the answer is flawlessly. Seeing Elphaba soar over Oz makes it very clear why the movie has been split into two parts – I think I need a year just to get my breath back after watching what I consider to be cinematic perfection – the inclusion of other characters in this moment is the perfect way to set up the next movie and allude at what is to come.

I have already mentioned how flawless the writing and direction the film version of Wicked is, but what about the cast? Well, they’re pretty perfect too. While some raised eyebrows when Ariana Grande was cast as Glinda, she effortlessly proves anyone who doubted her abilities wrong, delivering a Glinda (the Ga is silent) for the ages. A textured characterisation brings out the comedic nature of her while hinting at the vulnerability and insecurity that lurks underneath. Grande is able to express this effortlessly in a completely captivating performance that delights far beyond her incredible vocals.

Cynthia Erivo was very clearly born to play Elphaba. Having seen her star rise in recent years, Wicked is the perfect showcase for her God-given talents and genius abilities. Capturing the essence of Elphaba, she is commanding at every turn, gradually letting her walls come down as attitudes towards her change in the movie. The climactic, emotional moments of ‘Dancing Through Life’ are a testament to Erivo’s acting abilities in a performance that starts at ten and never dips, even for a moment. Her ‘The Wizard And I’ is the perfect example of how to build the moment, starting slow before her vocals are allowed to soar, and her ‘Defying Gravity’ is more perfect than I could ever have hoped.

Crucially, Erivo and Grande have remarkable chemistry together, making the friendship feel authentic and the initial sparring between them all the more humorous. Both outstanding in their own right, their performances not only complement each other but are able to life the other – the result are two of the best leading performances I have had the pleasure of seeing in a film in a long while. Don’t be surprised if both find themselves up for Oscar nominations after this.

Jonathan Bailey ensures it is more than just the two leading ladies falling in love with him in his turn as Fiyero, charming the pants off everyone he meets, audience included. In a charismatic turn, he delivers a slightly sweeter portrayal than his stage counterpart, while still retaining his cocksure nature. A tender scene between him and Erivo showcases his captivating nature, and his ‘Dancing Through Life’ will go down in history for how to deliver a musical number in a movie… even if it is about half an hour long. Ethan Slater is instantly memorable in his turn as Biq, I mean Boq – proving immensely loveable, and lighting up his moments with Nessarose, wonderfully played by Marissa Bode in a performance full of warmth that leaves me worried for her fate in the next movie (though as long as the shoes are fine, I guess that’s all that matters?). In a small but mighty role, Bowen Yang delivers some comic highlights as Pfannee, while Keala Settle seems to be in a completely different movie altogether as Miss Coddle.

Michelle Yeoh may not be blessed with the same vocals as her fellow cast members but her revised Madame Morrible proves intriguing to watch, particularly as the character takes a turn later in the movie with Yeoh delighting in her abilities to turn sinister. Jeff Goldblum’s charisma is unmatched as he makes his long-awaited appearance as The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz. In a playful turn, the fun that is clearly being had on that set translates beautifully to the audience in a joyous sequence that quickly erodes as the true nature emerges, leaving me longing to see what he does with the character in Part 2.

I had my reservations about the film adaptation of Wicked, fearing how crushed (with apologies to Nessarose) I’d feel if it turned out to be something bad. Even if I suspected it might be good, I never dreamed it could be as good as this. Happiness is what happens when your dreams come true and to say I left the cinema happy after the film concluded would be an understatement – just don’t let the tears streaming down my face fool you. Bold and brave in its delivery, the use of world-building and unafraid nature to deviate from what millions have known and loved about this story for two decades now is what makes Wicked such a resounding success. It could have gone horribly wrong but the expert care that has been taken by all involved has created what may be the best movie musical I have ever seen. Truly defying my own expectations, there is a reason this movie is already proving to be so popular . Absolutely wonderful in every respect, I have no doubt I will be loving this movie my whole life long. Now let’s just hope Part 2 is just as good. Only a year to go…

Wicked is in cinemas now. Let us be glad, let us be grateful, let us rejoicify!