Whisking the audience somewhere over the rainbow, Wicked captures the true magic of the land of Oz. On November 22nd, 2024, theaters across the country opened their doors to fans who rushed in to view the film on the big screen. Long time fanatics of the 21-year-old broadway musical and the classic 1939 film The Wizard of OZ have been long awaiting the movie’s release.
Seeing the film on the big-screen as opposed to a stage allows the audience to truly immerse themselves in the story; the setting brings even more color and life to the broadway adaptation.
It’s the day many theater fans dread: the day when their favorite musical is adapted to the film screen. Fortunately, Wicked enthusiasts were not disappointed. The musical was faithful to the Broadway musical. The filmmakers created new details that would further immerse its audience into the magical world by enhancing the backstory of its characters.
From the first minutes of the musical, it’s clear that Cynthia Erivo doesn’t need to be covered in green to stand out. Not only does Erivo’s voice put a spell on the audience, but her acting conveys the intricate emotions of a green girl who knows nothing but feeling ostracized by everyone around her.
The other piece in this dynamic duo, pop star Ariana Grande, surprised many with her compelling acting that kept the audience glued to the screen. While some fans were worried with the casting of the beloved character, many were blown away, however others were not. It’s not a huge surprise that Grande was able to perform this role as well as she had, after all, her career started out on the Broadway stage in the original cast of 13: The Musical, as well as other television acting roles.
The story focuses on the unlikely friendship between Elphaba and Glinda, the future Wicked Witch of the West and the future Good Witch. The two characters find themselves together at university, when they are paired together as roommates. Both women loathe the other, but they soon grow to care for one another as the story develops.
The chemistry between actors Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba) and Ariana Grande (Glinda) is the heart and soul of this film. One of the most memorable scenes was when Glinda joined Elphaba on the dance floor after minutes of laughter and bullying at the green girl’s odd appearance. Elphaba begins to dance and without considering the backlash she may face from her peers, Glinda joins in. Erivo and Grande truly made these characters their own.
Wicked is a must-see film for all ages, from the eye-catching cinematography to the thrilling story line it does not disappoint. Just weeks after its release, fans are already eager to get in line for part two, coming to theaters in 2025. Go catch the movie in theaters, you won’t be disappointed.
