Wicked Movie Review

Jon M. Chu Directs fun uneven adaptation of beloved stage play 3.5 out of 5

Elphaba, an ostracized but defiant girl born with green skin, and Galinda, a privileged aristocrat born popular, become extremely unlikely friends in the magical Land of Oz. As the two girls struggle with their opposing personalities, their friendship is tested as both begin to fulfil their destinies as Glinda the Good and The Wicked Witch of the West. Jon M. Chu does a good job directing this adaptation of the beloved stage play bringing to life with incredible sets that were built with such incredible love and detail it made my jaw drop even if I didn’t love the film. The entire cast gives damn good performances, but the 2 leading ladies knocked it out of the park carrying the film on their shoulders. Technically is where the film is amazing not just in the sets but the cinematography of the dance numbers, the combo of practical makeup with CGI was seamless did not look bad or fake at all.

John M. Chu directs the hell out of this movie the way he moves the camera during the musical numbers is so exciting and energetic they sweep you off your feet the chorography of the musical numbers is so well done like when Elphaba and Glinda are expressing their distaste for each other in their room. Chu’s pacing of the film is one of the places I feel the falters a little bit for be like in the middle it drifts and loses focus with the editing not being as tight as it could have been. Chu does a great job directing the cast getting great performances, but I do think the Michelle Yeoh character could have been flushed out a little more than just being the mentor character that could have been more compelling for her to play. Chu’s placement of the musical numbers in the film even with my criticisms of the pacing of the film overall are executed brilliantly it never feels the like the number stop the story in fact they add to it which is a big accomplishment for a musical on film to pull off.

The 2 lead performances from Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba who will become the wicked witch of the west and Ariana Grande as the privileged Glinda are stellar whatever criticisms of the film I have they are not one of them. Erivo as the Elphaba is amazing the range she shows over the course of this film is incredible showing her vulnerability, the awkwardness of the character, the power she can command, and the anger that brings on her powers is all conveyed through her acting I defiantly can see why there are people who feel she should be nominated for an Oscar. Ariana Grande as the privileged roommate Glinda is so funny her comedic timing is on point, where she does a great job making someone who on paper should be unlikable but is endearing takes a skilled performer to pull off which she does. The most impressive scene for Grande and Erivo is when they are dancing together at the dance with Elphaba wearing her iconic witch hat is so moving to me which might be my favorite scene in the film.

Technically the film is off the charts the sets they built for this film are amazing they envelope you into the world of wicked whether it’s the school, when they go to meet Jeff Goldblum’s wizard of oz that set is beautiful you can tell this team put so much love, care, and attention to detail to bring this world to life it paid off big time. The CGI animals looked good which we have seen with other films is not easy to pull off like the goat teacher that is protesting how talking animals are being treating not only looks great but is a great character in the film. This just shows when you blend practical with CGI is the way to go, I wish the MCU for example would adopt this approach on all their films not just half the time because it would benefit them immensely so they would not have this glossy sheen to them that takes you out of the film. The costumes of the film are brought to life so beautifully they have amazing detail that tell a story just on their own for each of the characters like Elphaba’s outfits convey how much she does not fit in making her an outsider.

The script for the film is well written but the part one aspect does hurt it but they did a great job have to balance splitting this play up into 2 parts. Final thoughts on Wicked is I liked this movie which I was surprised how much I did I’m not against musicals I love singing in the rain, an American in Paris, La La Land, and Tim Burton’s Sweeny Todd for example it’s just not a genre of film I seek out but this one I enjoyed. I will give this film a 3.5 out of 5 do go see it in a theater it is worth it.