WICKED (film, part 1) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire
Adapted for the screen by Winnie Holzman
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Directed by Jon M. Chu
22nd November 2024: It's Wicked movie day here in the UK! The release date for the most anticipated musical theatre stage to screen transfer I can remember. The most hyped film opening of the year for any theatre fan.
After over two decades as one of the most beloved musicals on the worldwide stage, Wicked has made its long-awaited journey to the big screen. Directed by Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights), this Wicked is the first chapter of a two-part cinematic celebration of the musical theatre mega-hit.
Wicked is the untold story of the witches of Oz. It's the story of what really happened behind the scenes on the yellow brick road to the Emerald City. Forget everything you think you know about Dorothy Gale and her buddies the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and their enemy the Wicked Witch of the West. Wicked takes us back to the witch's childhood and asks if someone is born wicked or if they have wickedness thrust upon them.
Wicked the film follows the same plot as the stage musical, but being split into two full length feature films it allows for more of the book's richness and depth to be included. We see more of the land of Oz, more fascinating characters get more air time, and as a result we have a better understanding about what happened to make the witches of Oz the witches of Oz. Wicked is basically a 'Wicked Witch of the West' and 'Glinda the Good' origin story.
The film boasts some serious star power! Emmy, Grammy and Tony award winning Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba - a young woman mistreated her whole life because of her unusual green skin - and Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and global superstar Ariana Grande is Galinda - a popular young woman from a world of privilege.
Elphaba and Galinda meet as students at Shiz University. After initially loathing each other, they eventually forge an unlikely but profound friendship.
Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum), their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths.
The star turns keep coming with Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh as headmistress Madame Morrible, Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero and Tony nominee Ethan Slater as Boq.
The supporting cast are all excellent too with an ensemble of superb dancers, four-time Emmy winner Peter Dinklage as the voice of Dr. Dillamond the goat History teacher, and a gorgeous cameo that will delight Broadway fans (no spoilers here!)
The film as whole looks stunning. It's a top quality, obviously very expensive piece of cinema. The costumes from Susan Hilferty are divine. Beautifully cut and expertly styled, every single costume - and there are loads of them! - is 100/10. Gorgeous, perfectly suited to the character, dazzling.
I love nothing more than an epic, perfectly synched, impressive group dance number and Wicked is full of them. The routines and movement from Hollywood choreographer Christopher Scott are sensational. His choreography is a highlight of the film.
Jonathan Bailey doesn't feature a huge amount in this film but anytime he is on screen he is superb. Bailey is a fantastic Fiyero, and the dialogue written for him here is some of the best in the entire movie. He's funny, handsome and dances like a dream.; What more do you want!. The "Dancing through life" sequence in the library is sensational, and shows off the Wicked creative team's choreography, musicality and technical wizardry to the full extent.
The musical arrangements are also excellent and every song is performed to perfection by the the super talented cast. The entire soundtrack from the stage musical makes it to the film but with changes to the orchestrations and of course with this phenomenal cast performing the numbers.
I had no opinion on Ariana Grande before seeing this film; I didn't head into this as an Ariana stan. But she's excellent as Galinda. Her comic timing is immaculate, and of course she can definitely hit those high notes. I'm really impressed with this casting.
On the other hand I was familiar with, and a fan of Cynthia Erivo before Wicked and I’m pleased (but unsurprised) to report that she's a superb Elphaba. Erivo brings the required softness and vulnerability that the role requires, but don't worry, she can melt your ears off when required. Her 'Wizard & I' and 'Defying Gravity' are suitably epic. I applauded in the cinema - it's what she deserves.
Both of them are iconic. The casting for the entire film is spot on.
I saw Wicked in 3D, but honestly, only because I wanted the poster that came with the 3D ticket! The 3D is good and there are certain parts I thought looked gorgeous, but it’s nothing unmissable or must see. It’s just pretty. Seeing Wicked in 2D will be more than impressive enough.
I would however urge you to see Wicked in the cinema. It's a genuinely sweeping, soaring, cinematic experience and it deserves to been enjoyed the way director Jon M. Chu intended - on a massive screen with surround sound. Chu has done an extraordinary job bringing Wicked, the land of Oz and all the beloved characters to the screen. It can't have been an easy job to try to please both cinema goers and musical theatre aficionados but I genuinely don't think this could be done any better. Wicked part one is immaculate.
Like many theatre fans my concern ahead of seeing Wicked the movie was that the musical had been split into two films, with part one alone running over two and half hours long. However it has been the correct decision. The extra time allows for more of the story from Gregory Maguire's complex novel to unfold. We get a deeper understanding of all of the characters motivations and, we get extended musical numbers and dance sequences. Win-win!
Part One of the Wicked movie ends where Act One of the stage musical does: With the epic Defying Gravity. It's a jaw-dropping sequence and think it closes out this chapter of the story perfectly. Elphaba has made a choice, and now in part two we're going to explore the repercussions of that. I cannot wait for part two!
I had very high hopes for Wicked the movie but wow, they have been surpassed. Wicked on film is a glorious musical masterpiece ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
When is Wicked part two out?
Wicked Part Two is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on November 26, 2025.
Wicked movie cast
Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, Bowen Yang, Bronwyn James, Keala Settle, Peter Dinklage.
📸 All photos: courtesy Universal Pictures
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