Introducing its protagonist with the catchy quote “No, I am not seasick; no, I did not eat grass as a child; and yes, I’ve always been green” Universal Pictures does the prequel to the legendary homegrown American fairytale ‘The Wizard of Oz’ proud. Drawing its inspiration from Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, ‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West’ and the Broadway musical, the American fantasy movie ‘Wicked’ encompasses all the ingredients essential to waltz into our hearts.
Catchy tunes
With catchy tunes and the likes of music idols like Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo taking the lead roles followed by actors like Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, and Jeff Goldbluma who also encompass a musical streak, it is no wonder that this production has managed to keep the audience enchanted and glued to their seats.
Similar to 2014’s ‘Maleficent’, ‘Wicked’ also gives us a picture of what is taking place through the antagonist’s eyes. It humanises the green-skinned Elphaba and throws sympathetic light on her actions, as we see that she has been brought up amid a difficult childhood. The story is as follows.
Elphaba, the misunderstood green-skinned “witch,” and Glinda, the ambitious and vivacious fairy, are unlikely enemies brought to life in Part One of this eagerly awaited big-screen adaptation of the popular Broadway musical “Wicked.” Their entwined destinies set off a series of events that will permanently alter both their lives and the enchanted Land of Oz when their paths cross at Shiz University.
Directed by Jon M. Chu of ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ romantic comedy fame, ‘Wicked’ is based on strong source material and provides breathtaking visuals. The only drawback of the film seems to be its extensive running time. Though all the action could have been neatly packed into around two hours, the film runs for nearly three hours.
This is mainly due to the excessive number of pointless subplots included by screenwriters Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox. Elphaba’s birth is featured in the film’s exciting opening sequence, which immediately captures the audience’s attention with its dramatic flair. But this momentum soon wanes as the narrative veers off course due to an excessive number of unfinished plots like the entrance of potential love interest Prince Fiyero, rebelling against the mistreatment of animals giving way to a Zootopia-inflicted storyline, Elphaba’s sister Nessarose’s tryst with the Munchkin man, Boq and Madam Morrible’s sorcery lessons with Elphaba and Galinda.
Unexpected charm and accuracy
Thanks to outstanding performances by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, the story of Elphaba and Glinda shines at the centre of the movie. Elphaba is portrayed by Erivo with nuance and dignity, bringing out her resiliency and vulnerability. Grande plays the haughty yet charming Glinda with unexpected charm and accuracy, shedding her pop star persona. The most captivating parts of the story come from their chemistry. However, the film loses focus because it insists on presenting a cast of characters with unfinished backstories.
The movie has stunning visuals. The captivating scenery of Shiz University and the mythic Oz are expertly captured by Alice Brooks’ cinematography, transporting viewers to a lively and enchanted world. A visual feast is produced by the intricate set designs, lavish costumes, and flawless special effects. The script, which feels verbose and bloated at times, loses the narrative’s emotional impact and urgency and therefore falls short of this visual grandeur as the story stretches on.
‘Wicked’ is ultimately a mixed bag. It’s complicated plot and unmemorable music detract from its ability to successfully immerse viewers in a magical world through breathtaking visuals and powerful lead performances. The captivating visuals might be somewhat appealing to younger audiences, but the slow pacing and dense plot could turn them off. The never-ending song loop and unresolved storylines, on the other hand, may be too much for adults to handle.
You also feel that the ending could have been rephrased differently without harping on the continuation and with an out-of-the-box finale making way for ‘Wicked: For Good’s release at the end of 2025.
