Wicked: Part One defies gravity and expectations, with one of the greatest stage to screen adaptations of all time. Jon M. Chu captures the magic of cinema, with a movie that demands to be seen with an audience on the biggest screen possible.
Bringing a stage play to the screen is no easy feat, but this film so effortlessly embodies everything I experienced watching the broadway show. The tone, heart and spirit of the play are preserved in ways I never expected, especially from a big Hollywood production. It naturally feels much grander, showing us so much more of Oz than was possible on the stage. Bigger isn’t always better, but the story is never lost in the spectacle - in fact, it’s elevated by it. We’re given such bombastic, sweeping sequences, including the exhilarating musical numbers, but when the film pulls back in for those more intimate moments, it grabs all the right heartstrings.
My biggest fear going in was the runtime, clocking in at a whopping 2 hours and 40 minutes. The entirety of the play is 2:45, and that includes a 15 minute intermission. Thankfully, the film expertly uses its lengthy runtime to flesh out characters and expand on the wonderful world of Oz. Nearly everything feels essential in telling this story, and the pacing rarely drags. For those who’ve seen the play, the movie ends exactly where you’d expect, with a stunning crescendo that left my skin covered in goosebumps and eyes welling with tears.
On a technical front, Wicked: Part One is a visual feast that blends practical sets and CGI to create a world that feels both magical and real. Jon M. Chu and his team have truly outdone themselves, crafting a visually immersive Oz that expands beyond the confines of the stage while maintaining the integrity of the musical’s iconic look and feel. The practical sets are nothing short of awe-inspiring. These physical locations are beautifully realized, giving the audience a sense of place and scale that just wouldn’t be possible on stage. On occasion the film does look a little too digital, and while there are a ton of gorgeous tangible components, I wish CGI had been used just a little less. The musical sequences are bursting with creativity and energy, which will leave broadway fans and casual audiences absolutely beaming.
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are a match made in Oz. From their hilariously heated bickering to their unlikely budding friendship, their combined screen presence is terrific. Erivo, as the misunderstood and fierce Elphaba, brings a grounded power to her performance, effortlessly shifting from vulnerable to defiant. Grande shines as the bubbly, optimistic and jealousy stricken Glinda, but adds enough depth and nuance to make her more than just a “good witch” caricature. The big supporting cast, including a scene stealing Jonathan Bailey, bring even more magic to the screen, but are balanced in a way that doesn’t overshadow the main plot.
Wicked: Part One is more than just a musical - it’s a cinematic event that proves sometimes, bigger is better, especially when the story and the performances are this strong. It doesn’t just live up to the beloved stage production - it surpasses it in some ways, which will leave audiences eagerly anticipating the conclusion next year.
4.5/5
Review by: Benjamin Garrett