‘Wicked’ film soars into cinemas, ‘Defying Gravity’ and audience expectations

I have spent my entire life in love with the land of Oz and the various stories it holds. “The Wizard of Oz” was one of my first favorite films. I went to see “Oz the Great and Powerful” in theaters when it came out in 2013. If a story had anything to do with Oz, I was 0bsessed.

The colorful, magical technicolor world was unlike anything I had ever seen — it was my favorite. I wanted to be immersed in this world as much as possible — whether that be from playing with my “Wizard of Oz” Pez dispensers and Madame Alexander McDonald’s toy dolls or dressing up as the characters from the movie, imagining I too was part of that fascinating world.

It was only fitting that as I got a bit older and started middle school, I became a full-blown theater kid and discovered the musical “Wicked,” immediately falling in love with yet another story from the land of Oz.

In 2017, I went to see the touring production of the show at Playhouse Square in Cleveland after listening to the soundtrack on repeat for the longest time. I loved it so much that my friend and I would sing “Defying Gravity” and “For Good” at every opportunity we got, whether it be Karaoke, choir or even vocal recitals.

I remember the first time I heard a “Wicked” movie was in the works — I was excited, but I was hesitant. What if it didn’t live up to the live show that I loved so much? What if the studio casted performers who didn’t fit the roles? What if the producers changed it too much?

Contrary to what most theater kids thought, I was excited when Ariana Grande’s casting was announced. “Victorious” was my favorite show as a kid, so I grew up loving her, plus Grande’s background is in musical theater and her “Saturday Night Live” episode was hilarious. She was even on Broadway! I knew from day one that she could handle it, and I was beyond thrilled when I ended up being more right than I could possibly imagine.

As the film was in production, I followed what I was able to online, listening to the snippets of songs they released, looking at photos from the set online and reading every interview from the cast and crew I could possibly find.

Then November 2024 came, and the film I had been anticipating for as long as I could remember was finally released. I can’t remember the last time I was this excited to see a movie.

I went to see the “Wicked” film opening weekend, and it was so magical that I wasn’t sure how to put my thoughts into words. I went again that following Monday, and was just as blown away as I was the first time. It’s perfect in every way.

From the moment the opening sequence began, the film transported audiences into the musically magnificent world of Oz. It was nothing short of 161 minutes of pure magic, heart and joy.

The film opens with Grande’s Glinda the Good floating down in her pink bubble to address the citizens of Munchkinland and inform them that the Wicked Witch of the West was, in fact, dead (really interesting way to open the film about her life story, by the way).

The first film only covers the content of the first act of the Broadway show, with “Wicked: Part 2” coming out next year. “Wicked” ends with Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba belting the lyrics to “Defying Gravity,” the exact moment that ends the first act of the musical. It’s show stopping and mind blowing — both onstage and onscreen.

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While the first film only covers half of the show's story, the runtime of the film is actually longer than the entirety of the Broadway show, despite containing the same songs. Director Jon M. Chu extended the runtime, adding different scenes (some inspired by the original book by Gregory Maguire) and even extending songs, such as “One Short Day” (incredible cameos, definitely recommend) and “Defying Gravity.” However, it is rumored that the second part will include two brand new songs for the film.

The show starts with Glinda providing a brief narration of Elphaba, the infamous Wicked Witch’s backstory and how she ended up being born green, followed by the two girls arriving at Shiz University and, despite protest from both, becoming roommates.

Glinda, formerly known as Galinda, was expecting a private suite, so she decorated the entire room with pink everything, saving a little corner in the back for Elphaba. Contrary to what many fans of “The Wizard of Oz” may believe, Glinda in “Wicked” is a bit of a mean girl who, along with the help of her friends Pfannee (Bowen Yang) and Shenshen (Bronwyn James), later tries to humiliate Elphaba at the Ozdust Ballroom, only to become best friends shortly after.

During the film, the animals in Oz are losing their rights, an issue Elphaba is incredibly passionate about. Her motive throughout the events of the film is to help the animals, including her former caprine professor, Dr. Dillamond (Peter Dinklage).

Madame Morrible, played by Michelle Yeoh, notices Elphaba’s potential as a sorceress, taking her under her wing. Glinda, whose heart's desire is to become a sorceress, gets jealous, but Elphaba insists they include Glinda in their lessons, the first real act of friendship between the two girls.

And while all of this is happening, of course, there are about three different love triangles taking place, because why wouldn’t there be in a musical about Oz? Nessarose Thropp, Elphaba’s little sister (played by Marissa Bode), is in love with Boq (Ethan Slater), who happens to be in love with Glinda. However, Glinda is in love with Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), who really loves Elphaba.

It’s a bit of a mess.

However, some motives in the film aren’t exactly clear until the end, and the twist of who is really good and who is wicked is breathtaking.

The events of the rest of the film follows their unlikely friendship and their adventures to the Emerald City to meet the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum). It’s fun, heartfelt and heartbreaking at the same time.

Erivo and Grande deliver the performances of a lifetime, both giving it all to their roles and absolutely delivering. Supported by a strong cast all around, there isn’t a single weak performance in the film.

The film does so much justice to the original, and as a long-time fan of the Broadway show, I can’t imagine anyone else in these roles. It’s perfect, stunning and so much fun. Being transported back to the land of Oz that I’ve spent my whole life loving was better than I ever could have imagined, and I can’t wait to see what “Wicked: Part 2” has in store for next November.

Rating: 10/10

powers40@miamioh.edu