Wicked: A Wonderful Return to the Land of Oz

 


A few things to get us started. I have been a fan of The Wizard of Oz for as long as I can remember. Even with being such a fan of The Wizard of Oz, I have never seen the Broadway musical Wicked. Naturally, I was cautiously optimistic about the film adaptation of Wicked. I knew some things to expect and recognized how the story of Wicked lines up with The Wizard of Oz. Any hesitations I had about Wicked flew out the window like one of the flying monkeys. What a spectacle and cinematic experience this movie is.

There are a lot of aspects of Wicked to talk about. Every song has a purpose and hits the emotional/story notes needed. In talking to my wife after the film I had a tough time selecting a handful of favorite songs since they are all so good. The acting is on point and all the major players were cast correctly. The dynamic between Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Galinda/Glinda (Ariana Grande-Butera) is believable and well-executed. We as the audience understand how their relationship develops and there is one scene in particular with a lack of sound and music that I believe is Wicked in a nutshell. You'll see what scene I'm referring to, it's pretty clear. The movie also balances the humorous and serious moments quite well. That could've gone poorly in a setting as whimsical as Oz.

The world of Oz itself really shines in Wicked. The sets, costuming and colors bring the land to life. I also greatly appreciate how practical effects were used as much as possible. For a while now Hollywood tends to make everything green screen (no pun intended since Elphaba is green), so it stands out when a new movie is shot with actual, tangible sets. There's some CGI of course, but it's not the entire film. Overall, Wicked looks and feels like (intentionally so I imagine) a movie from the Golden Age of Hollywood. 

If the film adaptation is any indication, I can see why Wicked is a beloved Broadway musical. You're interested in everything that happens. That's an impressive feat. Seeing Wicked on opening night there was a palpable energy with the excitement of the movie's debut. I want to shout out my fellow audience members most of whom (including my wife) were in costume or wearing Wicked merchandise. Thank you for enhancing what was already a memorable moviegoing event. While I don't know what will happen in the second and final chapter of Wicked, I assure you dear reader that I look forward to defying gravity once again. 

Rating:

Green Light

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