Wicked (2024) Review

Life has never been easy for Elphaba after being born totally green, resented by her father and ridiculed by everyone she meets. Everything is about to change when her powers are spotted and she attends Shiz University. An unlikely friendship with a very popular girl named Glinda would change everything.

*Wicked: Part I*

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No one mourns the Wicked.

We are taken on the opening to our journey into Oz, the Emerald City, and Shiz University with the first part of the story on how Elphaba became the Wicked Witch and how Galinda used to be her friend! Going back to where it all began, we see how Elphaba’s story unfolds, filled with name-calling and hatred because of the colour of her skin. This constant barrage of negativity shapes her character, making her much stronger yet also more isolated. She develops a defense against all of this, creating a tough exterior to protect her vulnerable heart. It becomes increasingly clear that Galinda, despite her bubbly personality and privileged background, may just be the worst possible person for her to end up sharing a room with. Their contrasting worlds highlight the complexities of friendship, as they navigate their differences and discover their true selves amidst the expectations of those around them. This unusual pairing leads to unexpected moments of growth and revelation, making their journey together all the more fascinating.

At the Oz Dust Ballroom though and Elphaba showing her true colours of being a truly lovely and decent person Galinda is about to realise her mistake and eventually becomes a better person herself due to this new found friendship. It is important to highlight just how important this all is about not judging someone before you truly get to know them and I feel that is the main point of the whole story. Throw in the dashing Fiyero who does seem so perfect for Galinda but that spark with Elphaba. Wanting nothing more than to meet the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, maybe at times you should be careful what you wish for?

It was very important to create that world in a spectacular fashion with the different colour schemes and visually looking incredible, adding that extra layer to the story telling. Staying true to the stage version was also essential and that was something that was completely nailed throughout. As a massive Wicked fan it was everything I had hoped it would be and more, everything I have loved about the show was captured and given even more depth.

The musical numbers are brilliantly executed again managing to pay tribute to big numbers that take place on stage, with plenty of backing dancers/swing and that was the only way to do it. I loved that they managed to keep everything about the score and lyrics from stage to screen (oh and the Broadway soundtrack I have been obsessed with for a very long time now).

The casting was perfect, Cynthia Erivo is extremely talented and she really brings it with both the acting ability and singing ability as Elphaba with so many good songs, ‘The Wizard and I’, “I’m Not That Girl’ and the iconic “Defying Gravity. I have to admit that I haven’t heard much of Ariana Grande’s music, so wasn’t sure what she would bring and my god she is utterly delightful and outstanding as Galinda. Everything about her performance captures how funny it is on stage and her “Popular” number was everything I wanted it to be. Then together as the pair “What is this Feeling?” was brilliant and I cannot deny that I cried at the moment in the Oz Dust Ballroom with the hat and dance!

Jonathan Bailey was an excellent choice as Fiyero, really bringing the charm. Michelle Yeoh balances a good performance as Madame Morrible, and Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard was another inspired choice. Marissa Bode and Ethan Slater make up the more supporting roles.

This film was everything I had ever hoped for and more over the years and I am so happy with how they have done it, the only down side is having to wait a whole year for the second part. Everything about the musical numbers blew me away and reminded me why this is one of my all time favourite musicals ever. The runtime of 2 hours and 40 minutes really does fly by, it was like we were defying gravity.