WICKED IS regarded by many to be one of the best musicals that has truly inspired us to 'defy gravity' and believe in our chances of flying, and it is also renowned for adding more layers to the characters from the Wizard of Oz, namely Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, the Good Witch of the North,
Given its overall impact, it could be a risky move to integrate the beloved musical into the big screen, and we've seen films like Cats (2019) and Phantom of the Opera (2004) that failed to capture the same level of magic from their broadway counterparts.
As for Wicked? Let's take a journey into the world of Oz.
Bringing Oz to life
Being able to bring the mystical world of Oz into the big screen serves as a monumental challenge for the film especially since the broadway musicals has always been highly regarded.
So does the film display the same level of aura? From the beginning all the way to the end, the film left me mystified. Everything about the environment screams beauty as we see the breathtaking spectacles especially in Shiz University and the Emerald City.
It was also a welcome sight to see the classic musical sequences, which added more flavor to the film. From the choreography, costume design, the props, CGI effects, the musical scores have been captivating to watch, and seasoned followers could end up singing the tunes inside the theater.
Normally these would already make a statement in a musical setting, but the film manages to elevate its prestige through its narratives.
From the outside Oz is a beautiful world to live in, but it also houses its own problems which are applicable in our current setting.
Animal welfare was tackled in the film and it eventually reached a broader scope at the tailend of the film especially once the secrets of Oz were slowly uncovered. From there we see that not everything about Oz is full of bright colors and this was hinted as to how the Wicked Witch Elphaba was treated.
Being the outcast in the film, Elphaba had to undergo a series of tragedies, starting from her family all the way to the constant prejudice and bullying she received in the University, and given what she has been through, one can already foreshadow her downfall.
But there was something profound with how the narrative explored the downfall of Elphaba, especially knowing that she will have to accept being branded as a villain by society, despite her heroic efforts.
In the end, this scene alone brought a lot of tears in my eyes, but there were other moments that produced the cries, and none of these would have been possible if it weren't for the individual performances of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.
Grande and Erivo stand out!
Being able to fill the shoes left by Wicked's outstanding cast, specifically that from Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, is a tall order, and it makes us wonder if both Grande and Erivo have what it takes to defy gravity in the big screen, especially since they portray two of the most important characters in the musical.
With the spotlight directed on them, both were truly...WICKED!
Cynthia Erivo's performances as Elphaba deserves a lot of plaudits especially the final scene where she sang 'Defying Gravity.'
That sequence alone left me speechless and it was the perfect way to deliver an exclamation point and prepare the curtains for the 2nd chapter of the film.
Even the buildup to that sequence highlighted Erivo's acting chops as one can imagine the pain she endured upon learning the truth as to why she was considered the prized student by the Dean of Shiz University.
And one can also feel the power and liberation that Erivo displayed when the Wicked Witch started flying with her broomstick.
But this alone didn't define Erivo as there were also other moments in the film that really heightened the Wicked Witch's character. The ballroom scene is another prominent moment where Erivo's acting was placed under the microscope and this showcased her body language and facial expressions at her peak.
Meanwhile Ariana Grande, proved to be the perfect actress for Glinda as she was able to capture and balance both her ambitious and arrogant side, but also her soft spot, making us believe that the Good Witch isn't as pure and divine as what the public perceives her to be.
There were moments that made us squirm in agony due to Glindra's self-obsessed behavior, and Grande did a great job of making us believe that the Good Witch is also a flawed human being, who also has a heart.
CONCLUSION
Everything about Wicked truly captured the beauty and aura of its musical counterpart and the changes that were introduced in the film were a welcome sight as it brought the film to greater heights.
Whether you're a seasoned broadway viewer or a first time Wicked watcher, the film is a sight to behold, and while some would argue that the film can be dragging to watch due to its length, the buildup leading to the end was worth every minute.
Given the direction from Jon M. Chu we're pretty excited to see how things will pan out, and at the end of the day, we're left reflecting, "Are people born wicked or did they have wickedness thrust upon them?"
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