Movie Review: WICKED – Part One

Based on the 1995 novel, the story of WICKED has amassed many fans over its continued stage-run as a Broadway hit. Universal Studio backers are now hoping to turn the theatrical success into box office magic. “This is Universal’s best release this year,” one fan remarked. So far, in 2024, Despicable Me 4 and Kung Fu Panda 4 are the top grossing films for Universal Pictures, the movie arm of Universal Studios. With WICKED’s viewing fan-base, grown over 20 years, since its debut on Broadway in 2003, the fan’s claim may prove true at the box office. We will have to wait and see. We will also have to wait for the rest of the story as this was only WICKED, part one.

The casting was apt, putting at the helm famous and capable singer, Ariana Grande, and Cynthia Erivo, a London-raised, stage actor who is one Oscar away from an EGOT. This is a designation given to people who win each of four awards: Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards. The multi-award-winning leads were backed up by a supporting cast of multi-award-winning actors, such as Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldbloom, and Jonatha Bailey (also from the UK). You may recognize Yeoh as the Academy Award for Best Actress winner, for her role as Evelyn Quan in Everything Everywhere All at Once. Bailey is known to American audiences as Anthony in the Netflix show, Bridgerton. And Goldbloom is a very recognizable Hollywood actor whose career spans five decades, including memorable roles in blockbuster films like Independence Day and Jurassic Park.

Even with this stunning cast in the forefront, racial diversity was also a feature in casting the extras and dancers. The focus on visibility of different identity groups, though evident in casting, does harken to the central themes in the story, asking “Can we accept our differences, or will we use those differences to divide us, labeling others as wicked?”

In her performance, Grande did justice to the quirks and perks of Glinda the good witch, showing that she still has the acting chops she developed as a child star on Nickelodeon. But the breakout star, Erivo, stole the show with her moving and seemingly personal renditions of “The Wizard and I” and of one of WICKED’s most notable songs, “Defying Gravity.” Grande also oozed charm while singing, “Popular,” another one of the musical’s unforgettable tunes. And overall, both seemed to have genuine chemistry as the film’s central duo.

WICKED fans will be pleased with a bold cameo appearing at a bright moment in the movie. And fans will appreciate that the film production is respectful with homage to the stage production in each aspect of the performances. But much was gained in the visual depth that film provides without the confines of the stage. The choreography gained more room to move and often helped bridge set-changing scenes. And the cinematography allowed us to truly see the expanse of the World of OZ.

Although there is no substitute for the theatrical experience, one movie-goer, who had seen the musical production twice on stage, said “Now I don’t have to go see the musical again, I can just watch the movie.” He indicated that the movie production was good enough to be a sufficient substitute, giving it 5 out of 5 stars. We agree.

Movie Review: WICKED – Part One