I expected to hate it.
In November 2024, Universal Pictures released a new film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical “Wicked,” starring drama actress Cynthia Erivo and pop star Ariana Grande. I thought this was another case of cash-grabbing, stunt-casting and dragging the name of something that I’ve loved since elementary school through the mud.
Blessedly, I was completely wrong.
The film looks stellar, to begin with. Everything from the costumes to the sets to the CGI animals is full of life. The color pallet is dreamy and vibrant.
At some points, to some viewers, the colors may seem washed out, but the pastels and overexposure lend an otherworldliness to Oz — something it’s had since 1939 that “Wicked” did not allow it to lose.
I especially loved the film’s big, unapologetic musical numbers. Several numbers feature huge, seemingly school-wide choreo routines. Students stand on tables, twirl through hallways and improvise percussion with books and silverware.
It’s a breath of fresh air in contrast to other movie musicals — 2024’s “Mean Girls” and 2021’s “Dear Evan Hansen” come to mind — which seem to have shunned choreography as a concept. These films beg you to forgive and forget that you’re watching a musical, but “Wicked” leans into its concept fearlessly.
The film adaptation does not change much of “Wicked” the musical’s story because it doesn’t have to. “Wicked” remains timeless and timely.
The film notably only covers the first act.
“Wicked” follows the story of Elphaba — the Wicked Witch of the West — and Glinda — the Good Witch — through their time at Shiz University. Elphaba is the bastard child of the governor, who is shunned for her green skin. She is, however, unnaturally talented at magic.
Glinda is a selfish and spoiled young woman with no natural magical gifts, but a desire to learn. She and Elphaba are paired as roommates who loathe each other at first, but slowly grow close.
Eventually, Elphaba is invited to the Emerald City by the Wizard of Oz. But upon meeting the wizard, Elphaba discovers he is a fraud. The wizard has also been imprisoning and stripping speech from the animal citizens of Oz, who can usually speak. Elphaba cannot abide by this, so the wizard declares her an enemy of the state, forcing her to flee west.
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The story of a talented marginalized woman being shunned and villainized by a snake-oil salesman from the American midwest, all because she tried to speak up for those being unfairly treated, feels all too true.
The friendship between Glinda and Elphaba dominates the runtime, yet at moments it still feels rushed. Several scenes highlighting the characters’ growth and relationship were left on the cutting room floor, and I wish the film had included them.
Despite the film's two-hour 40-minute runtime, these moments were needed. Cut something else or commit to being a three-hour film. “Avengers: Endgame” did it, so can you.
The true highlight of the film is what I’d initially been most scared of: the performances.
Grande’s Glinda is charming, bright and unapologetic. Other approaches to the role have been self-aware, with the actor — and therefore character — seeming to understand that they are a deconstruction of and satire on the “golden child” and “mean girl” archetypes. Grande’s approach is more sincere throughout, making the jokes funnier and the heartwarming moments sweeter, because she is so real.
Grande’s vocals are at their best. She sounds extraordinary, whether she is operatic and pure or singing a more grounded, enunciated and almost nasally homage to Chenoweth’s original whiny witch. I think, given the popularity of the overly-autotuned sound that dominated the 2010s pop scene, it is easy to forget how truly talented of a vocalist Grande is.
Her physical comedy is also second-to-none. She flounces through the film with playful, airy movements, almost resembling a tropical bird’s mating dance. Her expressions are whimsical and bold, lending her an almost cartoonish sincerity.
As much as this movie reminded us that the pop star is a talented singer across styles, it reminded us that Grande cut her teeth on Nickelodeon physical comedy. Glinda is Grande at her best, with “Wicked” allowing her to combine every skill she’s honed in her 15 years in the spotlight.
Erivo is also perfect as Elphaba. Erivo opts to play up Elphaba’s vulnerability and yearning for acceptance, rather than her well-earned cynicism. Her performance is tender and honest, through and through. Your heart constantly aches for her in the best way.
The 2024 “Wicked” adaptation is a swankified take on a beloved story. The aesthetics, narratives and performances perfectly balance magic and realism for a delightful, lengthy cinematic experience. I cannot wait for part two.
Addison Fulton is the culture editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at culture@dailylobo.com or on X @dailylobo
