Review: Wicked (Part 1)

While not technically a princess movie, Wicked is quite possibly the most high-profile release of the year with a princess-like character, G(a)linda. I have been a huge fan of the Broadway show for almost 20 years and know it by heart, so this release was a pretty big deal to me as it was to many other die-hard fans. Many were concerned about the fact that the play was split into two films--one for each act. Now that I've seen it, I have to say that I understand this decision. There is so much that happens in the musical that forcing it all into a single movie would feel overloaded. The longer runtime gives the story a chance to breathe while adding more exposition to enhance the phenomenal characters and plot. As an added bonus, there were lots of Easter eggs referencing the original 1939 Wizard of Oz movie that inspired Wicked as well as an anticipated cameo from two beloved Broadway performers.

Wicked is the story of Elphaba Thropp, who is better known as the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz. It reveals everything from her troubling birth and early childhood all the way up to how she became known as a wicked witch. Ever since its origins as a racy novel, Wicked has been a story of racism, politics, and accepting people who are different. This message comes across as vividly in the film as it does in the musical with Elphaba being ostracized by the other students at Shiz University for her green skin, and to a lesser extent, through her sister, Nessarose, wanting to live a normal life despite her disability. It is also the story of Galinda, a spoiled princess-like archetype who is used to getting everything she wants without having to work for it. Together, the two represent opposing sides of womanhood, giving the full spectrum of female spectators characters to relate to. Their friendship represents the power of working together and using our strengths to lift each other up.

Elphaba and Galinda have become caricatures over the years, and these caricatures are on full display through the movie's costuming. In the original musical, Elphaba and Galinda were introduced as students at Shiz University. Clothing-wise, they looked like they belonged there even though they hardly blended into the crowd. Elphaba stood out because of her green skin, and Galinda stood out by wearing an all-white uniform when the other students' uniforms incorporated both school colors of blue and white. This movie does not even attempt to make them look like ordinary students. There is Elphaba, there is Galinda, and there is everyone else. Elphaba first appears in one of her signature black dresses and visits Shiz just to drop off Nessa until Madame Morrible recognizes her talent for magic and insists that she enrolls. Meanwhile, Galinda has a monochrome pink wardrobe that makes her look more like a Barbie doll than the fashionista she was in the Broadway show. We all know her signature color is pink, but that doesn't mean she can't wear other colors.

I could go on and on about my love of the songs from Wicked, but they existed long before the movie, so there's no need to comment on that here. Instead, I will say that Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande put their absolute heart and soul into these roles. Their singing, though not perfectly identical to the Broadway soundtrack, was top-notch, and their acting brought Elphaba and Galinda to life for the big screen. The extra hour of content only enhanced the story without making any drastic changes. It helped that the screenplay was written by Winnie Holzman, who wrote the book from the Broadway show. The visuals were stunning and eye-catching. Oz's bright colors, whimsical architecture, and steampunk technology really made it feel like another world. The additional talking animals besides Doctor Dillamond also helped to emphasize Elphaba's sympathy for their plight.

The movie adaptation of Wicked is a mesmerizing and empowering tale that brings the beloved Broadway musical to life on the big screen. With its themes of acceptance, friendship, and womanhood, it's a must-see for fans of the musical and newcomers alike. The decision to split the story into two films pays off, allowing for a more in-depth exploration of the characters and their backstories. The performances by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are standout, bringing depth and nuance to Elphaba and Galinda. As we wait a whole year for the next installment, we can revel in the magic of this film and the powerful messages it conveys. So, grab some popcorn, sing along to the iconic songs, and get ready to be spellbound by the wonder of Oz – and the wickedness that lies within.