Wicked (Movie Review): The Best of 2024

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

At least once a year, I rewatch the classic 1939 movie, The Wizard of Oz. Because it is a nigh-unto-perfect cinematic achievement, no literal remake of this film, The Wiz aside, has ever been attempted. In 2003, Broadway legend  Stephen Schwartz did the unthinkable—he gave theatergoers an original prequel that became not only a smash hit but has now traveled far and wide. Director Jon M. Chu and screenwriters Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox have turned this venerated show franchise into two films corresponding to the original show’s two acts the first of which debuted on November 22, 2024.

Wicked opens in the Land of Oz, as the Glinda the Good Witch (Ariana Grande) relates the story of her sometime rival, sometime best friend Elphaba Thropp (Cynthia Erivo), the green-skinned illegitimate child from an affair between her mother and a traveling salesman. Traveling back in time, we see Elphaba and her younger, wheelchair-bound sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode) enrolling in Shiz University. There they meet the beautiful Galinda Upland (Grande) and Dean of Sorcery Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) who immediately recognizes  Elphaba’s nascent magical powers. Galinda and Elphaba are assigned to the same room leading to numerous awkward situations. Romantic entanglements ensue: Nessa with Munchkin Boq Woodsman (Ethan Slater) and Galinda with Prince Fyero Tigelaar (Jonathan Bailey).

Galinda gradually reconciles with Elphaba and gives her a “glam” makeover for the school’s big dance. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has heard about Elphaba’s magical prowess from Madame Morrible and invites Elphaba, accompanied by Galinda – who shortened her name to “Glinda”– to visit Oz’s Emerald City where they finally meet the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum). Elphaba uses her magic to read the ancient Grimmerie book of spells as she discovers that the Wizard lacks any supernatural powers. In a frantic finale Elphaba has given the Wizard’s guardian monkeys wings and has gained the ability to fly away on a broom, while Glinda remains behind as a solar storm rages in Oz.

Having seen the staged musical, I can vouch for this film’s efforts to remain faithful to the original music and plot while it takes a much deeper dive into the main characters of Elphaba and Glinda. The casting of singer-stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande could not have been better, both with regard to their strikingly different appearances and their abilities to deliver some of the show’s signature songs like “Popular,” “I’m not that girl,” and “Defying gravity.” Film veterans Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum convey compelling portrayals of the Shiz sorceress and the Oz mayor.  It was also a brief but brilliant move to have original Broadway cast members Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth appear as battling “Wiz-O-Mania” superstars. Visuals of Shiz University and the fabulous city of Oz are striking blends of actual construction and CGI that add considerable impact to the fairy-tale nature of this story.  Underlying all of the above is the well-articulated theme of animal mistreatment as related by the talking goat, Dr. Dillamond (Peter Dinklage), who laments the growing practice of rendering his four-legged colleagues speechless.

I applaud the production team’s decision to present this show in two parts as Part I’s 160-minute running time will challenge younger audiences’ attention spans. Wicked: Part II will hit movie theaters a year from now and I can hardly wait to see this cast and massive production team reunited. While transitions from the stage to the big screen can be tricky, I am happy to report that Wicked is a stunning success and gains my unqualified support for best picture of 2024. Highest recommendation.

Wicked was released in theaters November 22, 2024 (United States)

• Rating Certificate: PG (for some scary action, thematic material and brief suggestive material)
• Studios & Distributors: Universal Pictures | Marc Platt Productions | SKY Studios | Quebec Productions Services Tax Credit | The Icelandic Film Foundation
• Country: USA
• Language: English
• Run Time: 160 Mins.
• Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
• Director: Jon M. Chu
• Written By: Winnie Holzman | Dana Fox
• Release Date: 22 November 2024