Wicked Wins Musical Theatre Fans Hearts in The Best Way - Wicked Review
Was The 12-Year Wait To See This Film Come To Life Worth It - and Has It Done The Stage Show Justice?
Back in December 2012, Marc Platt announced that a movie adaptation of Wicked had officially been given the green light, with plans to release it by the end of 2016. But things didn’t exactly go to plan. By 2016, the release was delayed to 2019, with Steven Daldry stepping in as the director. Then it was pushed back again to 2021, when we finally got some exciting updates—Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande were cast in the lead roles, Jon M. Chu was named as the new director, and the movie was confirmed to be split into two parts, which then caused some fans to panic. After years of release date changes, casting news, and even SAG strikes, Wicked finally made it to the big screen in November 2024. It was the end of a long, 12-year journey.
Fans of the stage show were over the moon when they found out one of the most iconic Broadway and West End musicals was being adapted into a movie. But there was plenty of speculation too—how would they pull off scenes like Defying Gravity? And how would Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande bring these beloved characters to life without it feeling too similar to what other incredible actors had already done? After all the anticipation, the film has absolutely smashed expectations, leaving audiences completely blown away.
This movie absolutely deserves its flowers for so many reasons, but the biggest one is how faithfully it sticks to the original source material. A lot of the time, when something is adapted for the big screen, you’ll see scenes added just to pad out the runtime—or worse, important moments cut entirely. Songs might get rearranged or changed, and it can lose the heart of the original. But not this film. It stays true to its roots and manages to exceed every expectation. Jon M. Chu makes sure every scene feels purposeful, honouring the original stage show while weaving in clever nods to The Wizard of Oz and what’s to come. At 2 hours and 40 minutes, some fans worried the runtime might feel a bit long for just the first part of the story, but for me, the pacing was spot-on. It didn’t feel like nearly three hours at all. Each scene was given enough time to shine, and every character had their moment to connect with the audience.
Every character in this film is brilliantly portrayed, but Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are the true standouts. Their takes on the two iconic witches are nothing short of breathtaking. From the very first lines they deliver, it’s clear they’ve poured their heart and soul into these roles, which is already reflected in the multiple award nominations they’ve received. Cynthia Erivo is an absolute gem as Elphaba. She brings a raw, emotional vulnerability to the character that’s deeply moving, but also makes her fun, witty, and completely magnetic. Her interactions with the other characters are electric, and her journey of self-discovery is one of the most satisfying parts of the movie. By the end, when Elphaba finally finds freedom within herself, it’s a deeply emotional moment that’s sure to leave audiences in tears.
Ariana Grande, on the other hand, is a total revelation as Glinda. She steps into the role with confidence, bringing charm, charisma, sarcasm, and a fascinating complexity to Glinda that makes her so lovable. One of the most beautiful parts of the movie is watching the friendship between Glinda and Elphaba grow. Seeing these two incredible women slowly start to understand and appreciate each other adds so much emotional depth to the story, creating moments that are both heartwarming and deeply moving. It’s this connection between them that truly drives the film’s emotional core.
The rest of the ensemble is just as fantastic. Jonathan Bailey is absolutely brilliant as Fiyero, bringing the perfect mix of charisma and cheekiness to the role. Michelle Yeoh also shines as Madame Morrible, delivering a performance that’s equal parts captivating and chilling. Her slow and calculated manipulation of Elphaba is devastating to watch, and seeing her turn against Elphaba while also pulling Glinda into her web of deceit adds so much tension to the story. It’s haunting and heartbreaking at the same time, giving the film an emotional weight that lingers long after the credits roll.
Visually, this film is an absolute feast for the eyes, especially in how it brings the musical set pieces to life. Numbers like Dancing Through Life, One Short Day, and Defying Gravity stand out as some of the movie's strongest moments. Not only are they choreographed brilliantly and shot in a stunning style, but they’re also performed with so much energy and passion by the cast.
One of the film’s biggest strengths is its use of practical sets and real-life locations, which takes the visuals to a whole new level. The sets are nothing short of breathtaking. Shiz University is a standout with its gorgeous architecture, and the contrasting colors of Glinda and Elphaba’s dorm at the start are a fun and clever touch. Then there’s The Emerald City, which is bold, vibrant, and dripping in shimmering green hues—until the tone shifts as we venture deeper into the Wizard’s castle. As the truth is revealed, the once-bright visuals darken, creating an impactful contrast that really elevates the storytelling.
That said, I do think the color grading could have been improved in some areas. For example, some scenes at Shiz almost feel like they’ve been edited in near-monochrome, with grey undertones that dull the overall look. With just a bit more vibrancy, the film’s visuals could have been even more striking than they already are.
Overall, Wicked is an absolute triumph of a movie that stuns on all levels, all while paying homage to the original source material in the best way possible. The casting is exceptional, the visuals are stunning and the directorial vision from Jon M.Chu makes Wicked stand out as one of, if not one of the best movie musical adaptations ever - with fans now anticipating Part 2 more than ever.
Rating: ★★★★★/5
I loved it! Any criticism I have is honestly just nitpicks.