[Rating: Rock Fist Way Up]
In 2008, I starred in my one and only theatrical production. It was my 8th-grade performance of Fiddler on the Roof. That show ended up changing my trajectory of adding (on top of movies) another love of mine which is, musical theater. The “gateway” musical, the one that really became an obsession that led me into more and more was actually not that famous fiddler, but one about a green girl in a world that was linked to my own favorite film. For 16 years, I have patiently waited for the day I could sit in a theater and see Wicked. Well, that day has come and (real ones will get my numerous references in this review), “I couldn’t be happier.”
Delay after delay after delay for nearly two decades plagued this show that beckoned to be made into a film! The long-running Broadway musical has come close to a screen adaptation year after year. I knew it could happen, but creating such a large vast world of Oz seemed to be farther and farther, much like Dorothy’s own journey across the Yellow Brick Road. Finally, a few years ago, despite a flop about a bunch of singing kitties, Universal once again announced that the stage show would once and for all be made. A few directing shuffles, finally landing on Jon M. Chu, who already proved his musical chops in the masterpiece of 2021’s In the Heights was tasked to bring this story to life.
We’ll come back later to my own personal emotions.
The story is of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) who finds herself attending school, ostracized and mocked because of the green hue of her skin. There, she meets Galinda (Ariana Grande), a popular girl who wants everybody to know how “flawless” she is, and how unusually and exceedingly peculiar her new roommate is. Elphaba is only at school to assist her sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode) get situated, but after a magical incident, Headmistress of Shiz University, Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) invites her to private lessons to help her magic flourish. Soon, Elphaba and Galinda are forced to live together, despite their odds.
Enter a hunky prince, Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) who takes an interest in both Elphaba and Galinda, teaching his personal philosophy of being mindless and careless when he just wants to dance through life. Soon, the two girls are brought together to work together to learn about one another, especially after Elphaba takes great interest in their professor, a literal goat, Dr. Dillamond (Peter Dinklage). Dillamond tells Elphaba of stirrings in Oz, where animals are being more persecuted than ever. She makes it her goal, after receiving an invite from The Wizard himself (Jeff Goldblum), to question him about the stirrings of animal rights in Oz, much to everybody’s chagrin.
I’ve left so many details out, but this is an epic spectacle you just have to see to believe. And believe me, it’s magical in all regards. I had hesitations that this was not going to live up to any of my expectations, and yet it met every single one of them. The costumes and production design are marvelous. Most of the sets are actual sets with practical magic happening at every turn. How grand to see sets being built from the ground up to create this massive universe.
The true highlights of the film are Erivo and Grande. By gosh, as this took forever to get off the ground, it was always a big question on who would play these two. I am glad we are in a world where these actresses have given a fresh life to these characters and work so extremely well. Grande in particular steals every moment and every inflection she is given in this film. Her performance of “Popular” is one for the ages, akin to when Catherine Zeta-Jones sang about “All That Jazz.”
I don’t have much more to say about this movie musical. I felt it was wrapped up in a box with a great big bow, just for me. I have been waiting nearly half my life for this to finally be made, and I’m going to savor every moment, as long as it’s mine for the magic that is Wicked.
Christian Ramos is a classic film fan, having had the dream to host Turner Classic Movies for years now. He also has a large amount of Oscar trivia in his head, remembers dressing as Groucho Marx one Halloween, and cherishes the moment Julianne Moore liked his tweet.
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