Movie Review: Wicked

Rating: 5/5

By: Taylor Murray

Follow the yellow-brick road to the closest theater to go catch Wicked! 

Wicked is the 2024 movie-musical adaptation of the first act of the Wizard of Oz-inspired Broadway musical first performed in 2003. The film follows the journey of Elphaba, a young woman with green skin and magical talent, becoming the Wicked Witch of the West. Elphaba attends a magical boarding school, Shiz, with her younger sister Nessarose, at which her talent is discovered by famed professor Madame Morrible. Due to her proficiency in sorcery, Elphaba is invited to visit the Wizard in the Emerald City. There, she uncovers the truth — that he is a talentless fraud attempting to cage and ostracize the animal citizens of Oz.

Cynthia Erivo’s performance as Elphaba was earnest, sincere and powerful. Throughout the film, the audience follows her path of self-discovery as she comes to accept her differences and becomes more and more confident. The film’s final moments, featuring the song “Defying Gravity”, were dynamic and dramatic as Erivo flew off into the distant sky to escape the Wizard’s guards. 

Ariana Grande, having originally faced skepticism about whether her popularity landed her the role as Glinda, blew the theater away with her hilariously heartfelt portrayal of the Good Witch. The opening of the movie showcases her tremendous ability to communicate every emotion through microexpressions. Grande’s internal battle between her devastation at the loss of her friend and her outward relief and happiness for the celebrating citizens was both heartbreaking and genuine. 

Jonathan Bailey, who plays the heartthrob Prince Fiyero, put on an impressive, dance-filled performance in “Dancing Through Life”, in which he convinces his fellow students to follow him to an opulent underground ballroom. 

Erivo and Grande’s characters are complete opposites in personality and wardrobe, but any scene involving the both of them was entertaining, to say the least. From “What Is This Feeling”, to “Popular” later in the film, the two actresses take the audience on an emotional rollercoaster while keeping it lighthearted. 

The film is a beautiful, bright culmination of talented actresses, breathtaking sets and thrilling musical numbers. Director Jon M. Chu takes a classic tale and turns it into one of faithful friendships and overcoming adversity, all the while staying fiercely loyal to the Broadway original.