“Wicked” Movie Musical Review

In times of darkness, “Wicked” brings the joy.

The movie adaptation of the popular Stephen Schwartz musical details the story of how the Wicked Witch came to be. Directed by Jon M. Chu, “Wicked” part one, defies gravity and takes on new heights, reaching a run-time of 2 hours 40 minutes.

The casting of Elphaba and Glinda is the film’s selling point and truly makes the movie what it is and needs to be.

Glinda (Ariana Grande) is a standout. As someone who clearly holds the original musical in high esteem, Grande’s passion and integrity for the material seeps through beautifully. Her choices are impactful and purposeful, satisfying every desire one may have for their on-screen Glinda.

The Wicked Witch herself, played by Cynthia Erivo, provides the grit and vocal range needed from an Elphaba. Her authenticity and rawness create the perfect mix, allowing audiences to reflect on and love the differences in themselves.

“Wicked” functions off of a critical requirement for making a good piece of media; Jonathan Bailey in 1800s dress pants. Everyone in Shiz is immediately enthralled by Fiyreo, the newest addition to the University. As he charms his peers to join him at the Ozdust Ballroom, Bailey’s performance of “Dancing Through Life” is an exceptional display.

Erivo and Grande’s vocal blending is a masterclass in harmonization and their chemistry is a joy to watch unfold. The two actresses work in tandem to perfectly showcase the complexity and beauty that is the Elphaba/Glinda friendship.

“Wicked’s” biggest issues lie in the audio-visual departments, which is ironic, considering it is a movie musical.

The film’s color grading has been a point of contention since the release of the original trailer, and unfortunately, is the case for the entirety of the movie. In a land that should be painted in color, Oz reads significantly dull.

With a renowned soundtrack and high-caliber vocalists, “Wicked” excels in its emotional storytelling. The true letdown is in the sound-mixing of the songs. Moments defined by their intensity read quiet and leave audiences wanting for more. Fans may be disappointed by the slight departure from Schwartz’s original score, as the movie becomes more “pop-ified.”

With that being said, director Jon M. Chu’s passion is felt through the screen. Driven by nostalgia, Chu maintains the film’s integrity and drops a trail of easter eggs for the die-hard fans. He finds a way to satisfy the expectations of the original while still adding something new.

One last shoutout goes to the hilarious Bowen Yang in his gender-bended portrayal of Pfannee.

The film’s top three musical numbers are “What Is This Feeling?,” “Dancing Through Life,” and “The Wizard And I.” All these renditions maintain the essence of the musical and seamlessly transition to the big screen.

“Wicked” becomes the largest opening ever for a musical adaptation earning $46.74M on its domestic box office opening day. “Wicked” part two will return in November of 2025.

Rating: 4/5

Madison Rush is a third-year majoring in public relations. To contact her, email mkr5957@psu.edu.