The Wizard of Oz, released in 1939, is one of the most iconic and beloved movies of all time. As a fan of the film, when I learned about an adaptation being brought to screen that shows a different side of the world of Oz, I knew it was something I wanted to see.
Wicked, based off of the stage musical debuting on Broadway in 2003, follows the imagined backstory of Elphaba, the eventual Wicked Witch of the West, and her unlikely friendship with Glinda, who goes on to become the Good Witch.
The film takes place in a world of fun, wonder and light. Color is very symbolic in the movie.The light pastel world of Shiz University, the main setting, contrasts Elphaba’s green skin and dark wardrobe which symbolizes the way we are supposed to see Elphaba in comparison to the enchanting world she is brought into.
Some viewers have a problem with the color grading of the movie, seeing it as too dull for such a bright story, but I felt that the use of softer colors gives Oz a more realistic feel. This is also done through acting styles, choreography and costume, all of which are more subdued in this new version of Wicked in comparison to its stage counterpart.
This is the right move for translating the musical from stage to screen, making the story more digestible and less exaggerated than Broadway hits often are, broadening the range of its audience.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the soundtrack of the movie, and, in turn, the movie itself. I have never been a big fan of musicals, especially ones using original music, but I found myself enthralled by Wicked and less bored of its songs than those of other musicals.
This is partially due to the voices of the cast, specifically Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba, and Ariana Grande, who plays Glinda. Their harmony is incredible, and so is their chemistry. Erivo shapes Elphaba into a thoughtful, wise character, who aims to be confident in herself. Everything about Grande’s rendition of Glinda is light and airy, but still conveys the sharpness of Glinda’s personality. Both women do a wonderful job depicting these characters on screen and the connection they achieve while filming is evident in their internet famous press run.
My only grievance is the ending, or the lack of one. The film is only part one of the story, and Wicked’s part two is set for release November 2025. While the movie does give more context than in the first act of the Broadway musical, I wish this had been better advertised to viewers, especially given the movie was more than two hours long. Regardless of the movie’s quality, a year-long intermission is something I have a hard time looking past.
The wonder and beauty of Wicked speaks for itself, through the widespread love for the movie and the story it tells. Full of whimsical cinematography, magical character relationships and a deeper symbolism through a fight for justice, Wicked is definitely a tale whose conclusion I’ll be holding space for in my schedule next year.
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