Wicked – Part 1 Review: Already A Milestone in the Film Musical Genre!
Wicked – Part 1 Review: Already A Milestone in the Film Musical Genre! - Filmyhype
Director: JOHN M. CHU
Date Created: 2024-11-21 19:33
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Wicked – Part 1 Review: Years after the first news that the successful musical would be coming to the cinema, Wicked – Part 1 is finally available in theaters, to enchant both fans of the Broadway show and the general public, brought to theater by the magical (and massive) promotion that is accompanying the film. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande lead a very ambitious project, as mentioned, the first of the two parts planned for the majestic project that is however able to stand up very well even on its own. Wicked – Part 1 is a sumptuous and surprisingly current adaptation, which offers a new perspective on the dichotomy between good and bad, questioning the reasons for evil. A film that knows how to thrill with a story that stars Elphaba, the future witch of the West: she is a girl born with a peculiarity that makes her life complicated from the very beginning, played by an amazing Chintya Erivo. The complete opposite of the very lucky, very good, and perfect Galeenda, the future witch of the North, who has the face and voice of Ariana Grande.
Michelle Oh plays their teacher, Madame Morrible, Jeff Goldblum is that charlatan from the Wizard of Oz, while Jonathan Bailey is the handsome prince Fyiero. Directed by John M. Chu (the director of Crazy Rich Asians, who not too long ago already tried his hand at the musical thanks to In the Heights but without forgetting the spectacular choreography of Step Up 2 and the following chapter), Wicked – Part 1 arrives in theaters starting from Thursday 21 November with the distribution of Universal Pictures. After twelve years of attempts at cinematic pre-production, the dream of fans of the Broadway theatrical show comes true and transforms into a unique and imaginative cinematic show, which has the flavor of a great event on the big screen. With two simply perfect protagonists embodied by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. In our review of Wicked – Part 1, we will tell you about the origins of the “prequel” story, the epic nature of the cinematic adaptation made behind the camera by John M. Chu, and why the long-awaited musical inspired by the characters created by the American writer L. Frank Baum in the early twentieth century could become a transgenerational phenomenon. Waiting for the second (and last) part already set for November 2025.
Wicked – Part 1 Review: The Story Plot
Long before Dorothy Gale arrives in the Land of Oz, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), a young woman born with emerald-green skin, meets Glinda (Ariana Grande), a young, vivacious, and extremely popular blonde woman. Despite everything against them, the two become friends when they both attend the prestigious University of Shiz to learn the secrets of witchcraft. But between rivalries and the corrupt government of the Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum), their relationship will quickly take another turn that will quickly set in motion the events that will transform the protagonist into the Wicked – Part 1 Witch of the West, one of the most famous and recognizable archenemies not only in children’s literature but also in the pop imagination thanks to her excellent “predecessor” The Wizard of Oz by Victor Fleming.
It all started in 1995 when the American writer Gregory Maguire published the clearly young adult fantasy novel “Wicked – Part 1: Chronicles of the World of Oz in Revolt”, a story freely inspired only by the characters and places of the famous “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum from 1900. Maguire reinterprets the famous American fairy tale that inspired Flemig’s 1939 cinematic masterpiece in an adult and socially progressive way, giving the Wicked – Part 1 Witch of the West depth, psychological roundness, and a narrative arc of great respect. Eight years later, Broadway took care of adapting (but only freely and in broad narrative lines) Gregory Maguire’s novel in the form of a musical for the whole family, which was a huge success for the public. After twelve years of trying to put together an adaptation for the big screen, Wicked – Part 1 finally lands in our theaters starting on Thursday 21 November with Universal Pictures. It is only the first part of a cinematic diptych that will be completed in November 2025 with the second (and final) chapter.
In the land of Oz, the blonde, vaporous, and luminous Witch of the North announces to the population that the Wicked – Part 1 Witch of the West has been defeated forever and that the kingdom is finally free from the tyranny of that terrible hag. The people celebrate, but before the Witch of the North leaves them to their parties, an innocent voice, that of a little girl, asks her an impertinent question: “Is it true that, once, the Witch of the North and the Witch of the West were friends?”. Thus begins the long flashback in which the difficult childhood of Elphaba, the future Witch of the West, is told, born different from all the others, both because she has green skin, and because she possesses a talent that, for a long time, remains more of a misfortune than a power.
The audience follows the little girl growing up in a family that does not accept her, with a father who considers her guilty of every misfortune that has happened in the house after her birth, and always struggling with the bullying of her peers and with the troubles caused by her strange talent. When Epheba accompanies her little sister on her first day of school, due to a series of circumstances, the girl also finds herself, unpredictably, having a place in the prestigious institute, where fate makes her end up in the same room as Gleenda: blonde, popular, privileged, superficial. Practically her opposite, or her nemesis, with whom a mutual hatred is born immediately, which, however, then unexpectedly transforms into something else. The two girls will find themselves sharing a special bond, a friendship between opposites, while Elphaba, thanks to a teacher who becomes her mentor, begins to better understand the powers that earn her an invitation to go to Emerald City, to be received by the Wizard of Oz himself.
Wicked – Part 1 Review and Analysis
Two hours and forty minutes of great spectacle: with scenes and choreography that fill the eyes with wonder and make the most of the full width of the big screen to take the audience directly into the magnificent world of Oz. This aspect of Wicked – Part 1 alone would be worth the price of the ticket. Yet it is still not the best that this film can give to the audience, because real magic is all within a story and a protagonist, written in a perfect way, which, thanks also to the game of the double with its counterpart, manages to give food for thought and great emotions. The film develops in the first part of great visual impact and in which the tone of the comedy has ample space, entrusted above all to G(a) Leenda, an Ariana Grande who in her funny, snobbish, and naive outbursts, reminds a bit of Elle Woods from Legally Blonde, but even more evanescent and over the top. The second part of the film instead, sees an engaging emotional crescendo in which the figure of Elphaba stands out with all her complexity.
In this context, the key to everything, the most important twist plot, which links the first and second parts, develops through a beautiful and surprising narrative and scenic solution, to tell the reversal of the relationships between the two protagonists, which completely changes their stories. The result of all these elements is a film that ensures a great show. And that, even though it is the first part of the story that will be followed by a second chapter, is more than enough in itself. And this is also a great merit, because the viewer leaves the theater, yes with the desire to continue following the adventures of Elphaba and Gleenda, but without the disappointment that sometimes you feel in front of certain closures of “chapters 1”, which leave the discussion excessively and too cunningly hanging, sending the audience home with a bit of a bitter taste in their mouth. In this case, however, you go home fully satisfied, because Wicked – Part 1 is a perfect mix of writing, performances, music, choreography, tones, situations, and characters that, it is right to say, enchant, or rather bewitch the spectators.
Director Jon M. Chu not only honors the original material but elevates it by using the tools provided by the audiovisual industry: he seeks out technical tricks and plays with the camera in a dance of shots and settings. Everything is set up so that, in the midst of the pastel-colored tornado, Elphaba and Glinda, or Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, shine, pure chemistry, talent, and emotion. The first one captures in her voice and facial expression the heartbreaking vulnerability and courage of the protagonist, while the second, in an initially less grateful role, is the irresistible comic counterpoint, so sparkling, capricious, and tender. They are the stars of the show and the rest gladly cede the spotlight, although they rise to the occasion when necessary, when Jonathan Bailey gives himself over to Fyiero’s sly gallantry or Jeff Goldblum shows that he was born to be the Magician.
Wicked – Part 1 has everything you could ask for in a movie musical. It has catchy themes, numbers that make you fly, visual ambition, and a spectacle that never neglects the narrative or its characters. The packaging is fantastic, but the message resonates in the real world: we all want to be loved, but to do so we must first love ourselves. Curiously, both Elphaba’s journey of self-acceptance and that of many characters refer to the discrimination, xenophobia, and intolerance that are so current. Next year, the second part will arrive with a huge challenge: to match the first installment’s success, which also has the juiciest plot of the play, although it will be the second one that overlaps with The Wizard of Oz. For now, let’s celebrate that Chu has defied gravity and has emerged victorious with a captivating, fun, exciting, and tremendously enjoyable musical film. Surprise: musicals can be among the best films of the year when they are done right.
From Gregory Maguire’s novel to the Broadway show created by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman, up to the assignment of the film direction to John M. Chu by Universal Pictures. A long, stimulating, and troubled multimedia journey of Wicked – Part 1, but full of satisfaction. It is certainly no coincidence that the 2003 theatrical text has become over time one of the longest-running and most applauded musicals of all time; full of such responsibility of not being able and having to displease the thousands and thousands of fans and aficionados of Schwartz and Holzman’s musical, John M. Chu chooses to direct the film version with respect for the (so much) original material and dividing the film into two parts, of which the second and final will arrive in US theaters on November 25, 2025, on the profitable Thanksgiving weekend.
Aware of his past as a highly skilled director of musicals and musical feature films (his were the second and third chapters of the choreographic Step Up saga, for example), Chu relies on the power of the irresistible music composed by Oscar winner Stephen Schwartz to enrich a fantastic world already depicted at the beginning of the twentieth century in the seminal literary saga by L. Frank Baum, without forgetting, however, to send his regards to the prequel novel by Gregory Maguire. And it is precisely from the 1995 best-selling book that the film starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande takes flight, certainly smoothing out the more adult and controversial elements, but at the same time favoring a democratic and stimulating adaptation, aimed at a transversal audience that does not forget to point the finger at the most pressing themes and contents of the original novel. Embellished with obsessive and impressive care in the construction of astonishing sets and dream costumes, Wicked – Part 1 will owe much of its success in theaters (in the US it seems that in its first weekend at the box office, it aims to exceed 100 million dollars in takings, well beyond Barbie) to the chemistry between the two protagonists.
If Cynthia Erivo is a granite-like, tender, and vulnerable Elphaba, the Glinda played by pop star Ariana Grande exceeds all expectations. Equipped with great comic timing, the American performer convinces everyone and is a candidate to become (at least on paper) one of the most aggressive contenders for a place in the top five of the best-supporting actresses at the 2025 Oscars. Without forgetting that, in addition to the splendid actresses who give heart and soul to Wicked – Part 1, the cast is nevertheless embellished with very respectable supporting actors, among which Jeff Goldblum stands out in the role of the fraudulent Wizard of Oz, Michelle Yeoh in that of the rigid and strong-willed director of the University of Shiz, and the charming Jonathan Bailey in that of Prince Fiyero, increasingly launched into contemporary stardom in front of the camera.
Of course, perhaps Chu’s direction, too concerned with not being able to displease the hordes of followers of the original musical, ultimately appears less refined than one might have expected, the duration of the first part in theaters from November 21 (a good 160 minutes) often and willingly takes the liberty of losing narrative rhythm and compactness here and there, but despite everything Wicked – Part 1 is a joy for the eyes and ears. A rare contemporary model of musical blockbuster capable of capturing, moving, and enrapturing viewers of all ages, the film with Erivo and Grande is preparing to become a milestone in the singing film genre, alongside models of the New Millennium of great depth such as Rob Marshall’s Chicago and Tom Hooper’s Les Misérables. In conclusion, the musical directed by John M. Chu and based on the famous Broadway show is everything that the most die-hard fans could have expected and even more. A solid entertainment for the whole family, Wicked – Part 1 is nevertheless supported by the extraordinary performances (singing and acting) of its two splendid protagonists, played by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, and deserving of any recognition that could arrive in the next few months for the film as a whole.
Wicked – Part 1 Review: The Last Words
The musical directed by John M. Chu and based on the famous Broadway show is everything that the most die-hard fans could have expected. A solid entertainment for the whole family, Wicked – Part 1 is nevertheless supported by the performances (singing and acting) of its two splendid protagonists Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, deserving of any recognition that could arrive in the coming months. Among the most faithful adaptations of the original work ever seen on the big screen, if you are a fan of the Broadway show Wicked – Part 1 it will not disappoint you. Of course, if you do not like musicals this film is not for you, because it is “all singing, all dancing, a great show”! as they say in Moulin Rouge! by Baz Luhrmann. The two protagonists Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are extraordinary, the real surprise of the film: it was obvious that she could sing, except that she was also a brilliant actress. And it does not end here: this is the first part; the second will arrive in 2025.
Cast: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh
Directed By: JOHN M. CHU
Where to Watch: In Theaters
Filmyhype.com Ratings: 4/5 (four stars)
