By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
Bay Area director
Jon M. Chu ("In the Heights," "Step Up" series) works his magic again, delivering a dazzling big screen reimagining of the Tony Award-winning musical
"Wicked."
This bold, mesmerizing adaptation--a long time in the making--gives fans a lot to cheer about.
The story centers around Elphaba (A dynamic Cynthia Erivo, "Pinocchio"), the green-skinned girl born of scandal who possesses extraordinary magical powers. While her father hates her, and her disabled sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode) is distant, Elphaba earns a spot at the prestigious Shiz University, where she begins training under Headmistress Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh, "Everything Everywhere All At Once") to control her powers.
Despite her brilliance, Elphaba is teased because of her appearance, leading her to keep a distance from others. She crosses paths with Galinda/Glinda (a stand-out Ariana Grande, "Wicked Part II"), Shiz's egocentric campus queen. The two develop a complex, and often combative, yet evolving friendship.
Erivo brings emotional depth to Elphaba, capturing her inner turmoil and fierce determination, while Grande shines as the hilarious, self-absorbed Galinda/Glinda.
Production designer
Nathan Crowley ("Wonka") and cinematographer
Alice Brooks ("In the Heights") beautifully capture the grandeur of Oz, from the opulent Emerald City to the whimsical Shiz University.
Though Jeff Goldblum makes the most of his limited screen time as the Wizard of Oz.
I’m also hopeful that Jonathan Bailey ("Bridgerton") whose charming portrayal as Fiyero will appear more in the sequel. He's a blast performing the delightful and lively musical number "Dancing Through Life." And for that matter, Ethan Slater's ("Lost on a Mountain in Maine") conflicted Boq. Each adds intriguing layers to the story, with Boq secretly pining for Galinda/Glinda while dating Nessarose.
And speaking of music and dance numbers. Chu's mastery really shows shines through. He pulls out all the stops with sensational choreography throughout. Erivo and Grande make quite a dynamic duo too, particularly on the songs "What is this Feeling?" "Popular," "I'm not that Girl" and "Defying Gravity."
By taking on the monumental task of adapting "Wicked," Chu has masterfully preserved the beloved stage production's essence while broadening its scope for the big screen."
At 160 minutes, "Wicked" captures the heart of the musical and is sure to cast even more of a spell on audiences when
"Wicked Part II" arrives in theaters next year
(November 21, 2025).
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays now at 5:17 p.m. and 6:47 p.m. on radio station KFBK 93.1 FM and 1530 AM.
Look At This Trailer For
"WICKED"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
