The eagerly-awaited movie adaptation of the Broadway behemoth is finally upon us… or at least, half of it is. Director John M. Chu (Crazy Witch Asians) ambitiously adapts all of the pre-interval bits of the monster musical, telling the tale of how the Wicked Witch of the West broke bad.
Cynthia Erivo plays green-skinned outcast Elphaba, finding herself enrolled at Shiz University in the Land of Oz after accidentally impressing with an impromptu show of her mystic powers. There she meets and clashes with fellow student Galinda/Glinda (Ariana Grande), quickly becoming the best of frenemies. What follows is a faithful adaptation of the Popular stage show, featuring energetic versions of such songs as The Wizard of I, What is this Feeling? and, of course, Defying Gravity.
Stars Erivo and Grande are well-paired as the future wicked and good witch, demonstrating palpable chemistry in their scenes together – whether that be unadulterated loathing or strange exhilaration. Both women have the pipes for it, but Grande is a revelation as the eventual Royal Sorceress of Oz, clearly relishing the role of a lifetime. Meanwhile, Boss Baby: Back in Action star Erivo capably delivers in the role of the awkward, much-hated outsider, quietly breaking hearts for the Carrie-esque nightclub sequence and bringing a powerful sense of catharsis to the show-stopping (and ending) Defying Gravity.
Elsewhere, Saturday Night Live star Bowen Yang elevates his background role to quietly steal every scene, while Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum reliably recycle their usual screen personas. FrightFest regular Andy Nyman brings texture to the all-star supporting cast paying Elphaba’s dad, while Bridgerton hunk Jonathan Bailey charms as dashing dimwit and love interest Fiyero. Little sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode) tends to fade into the background more than she perhaps should, but there’s still plenty to come once the curtain rises on the show’s second half next year.
Between the muggier VFX shots and uncanny valley animal creations, it’s very much the modern fantasy blockbuster (The Wizard of Oz still looks better, and they made that in 1939), but is grounded by its heartfelt performances and more practical set pieces. A successful vein of humour runs through its first half (think Mean Girls meets Harry Potter), while the second coasts by in the introduction of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its build-up to that pre-interval number.
Whether next year’s sequel can carry on the momentum remains to be seen, but Wicked is a dazzling re-staging of the Broadway classic – successfully adapting its epic story for the big screen, while keeping every bit of the magic intact.
WICKED is out now in UK cinemas.
