‘Wicked’ Defies Expectations Ostentatiously with Part I (REVIEW)

Here at Screen Speck, we are glad to inform you that Wicked wasn’t a no-fly show! A little musical theater humor to start us off. Fortunately, Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of the stage musical soars high as a true tear-jerker. From boastful comedic moments to jaw-dropping musical numbers and an emotionally charged nature, Wicked may be one of the biggest hits of the year.

Rightfully titled Wicked: Part I, the film captures only the events of the musical’s first act. Screenplay written by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox, the narrative follows the stage production almost identically. Taking place before Dorothy Gale’s trip to Oz, Wicked guides us through this wonderful world from the perspectives of two witches. Initially, we meet Glinda Upland (Ariana Grande), the Good Witch of the North, as she recalls her time at Shiz University. There, she crosses paths with the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba Thropp (Cynthia Erivo) – but she wasn’t always wicked. During their studies at Shiz University, they were roommates. They loathed each other at first. However, soon enough, an unlikely friendship formed between them that would defy everything we know about the tales of Oz. 

In essence, the film has the influential momentum of Avengers: Infinity War… but for musical theater nerds. It starts with the intrinsically recognizable overture of Stephen Schwartz’s stage production. Instantly, it transports the viewer to a world of possibilities mixed with new and familiar sights. 

Then, we meet our leading ladies.

Before they became known as good and wicked, they were just two women with aspirations. Glinda’s main goal at Shiz was to become a sorceress. She wanted to study under the guiding hand of Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), the Dean of Sorcery at Shiz University. Elphaba, on the other hand, had no aspiration to enroll. Her only true wish was to meet the wizard and have her heart’s desire granted–that he help her no longer be green. During the first day at Shiz, Elphaba escorts her sister, Nessarose Thropp (Marissa Bode), the first disabled actress to play the role. Nessarose seeks a fresh start away from Elphaba’s unintentional inclination to draw attention. After Elphaba accidentally causes quite the spectacle on campus, Madame Morrible takes her under her wing instead of Glinda, kicking off what blooms into a fleeting rivalry.

Their time together faces various challenges. This is due to their opposing personalities, differing ways of life, eventual shared love interest, and their response to the underlying corruption that exists in Oz. The best part is how the creative team makes the story feel all the more relevant today. A jarring scene declaring “animals should be seen and not heard” takes place in the wake of the resident creatures of Oz losing the ability to speak. It is difficult not to reflect on our current standing as a society that refuses to comment on injustice for the sake of comfort. 

Peter Dinklage plays Doctor Dillimond, a Goat and a History professor at Shiz University, with a wonderful touch. It’s quite challenging not to feel sympathy for the professor as those around him quickly ostracize and marginalize him. This fuels Elphaba’s motivations throughout the rest of the film, seeing herself in his circumstances. Since she was little, those closest to her always cast her aside due to her green skin. Despite her kind nature, many can’t look past her exterior.

Cynthia Erivo navigates the winding road of Elphaba’s essence with grace. There’s an innocence to her that breathes intricately with her passion, fierceness, and defiance. Despite the constant scorn from others, she doesn’t act with fear. Instead, she pushes through with bravery. This bleeds into one of the most iconic numbers Erivo delivers throughout this first installment with “The Wizard and I.” This number never fails to gain a rowdy applause from audience members. Erivo can effortlessly weave a moment into something truly unforgettable.

Ariana Grande, in turn, shines with her comedic chops, often reminiscent of the late great Brittany Murphy. There’s a sweetness and vulnerability to her that emanates in every scene she’s in. Despite her character’s often narcissistic tendencies, you can’t help but love her. Beyond this, the biggest highlight of her performance is that she’s able to shed her pop princess persona in the blink of an eye. Instead of Ariana Grande, the celebrity, the audience can see Glinda, the character, as she fully steps into the shoes of the role. She demonstrates how she earned her spot in this film and consistently proves it throughout the almost three-hour runtime. 

When it comes to Erivo and Grande together, they thrive in never fully outshining each other. They’re a true pairing and a feat in and of itself. Able to give and take equally, the entire film feels like a balanced wealth of thriving talent and joy. In addition to this, another clear standout is Jonathan Bailey. As Screen Speck contributor Lyvie Scott pointed out, there is an Old Hollywood aspect to the heart of his performance that makes it oh-so classic. Bailey has proven himself charming and capable of handling roles such as this one. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t stop constantly outdoing his previous work. He moves and swoons with charisma and fluidity during “Dancing Through Life,” making the character all his own. 

Beyond acting chops and performances for days, Wicked Part I is a dazzling skyscraper of possibility and promise. Dressed to the nines with incomparable costuming by Paul Tazewell and the focused vision of its director of photography, Alice Brooks, there’s a true gem hidden within all the emerald. While the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) is only a conman full of false promises, the team behind this film worked together to bring true magic to the screen. And we, for one, cannot wait for Part II. 

Rating: 9/10