Though only one half of the original Broadway musical, Wicked: Part One is a stunning tale of self-discovery and friendship. With a masterful combination of vocals, co-starred by the talented Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande and incredible visuals, Wicked is an absolute spectacle not to be missed.
Many musical theatre fans, thanks to past attempts by Hollywood, have been left desiring more film adaptations of musicals. I must admit that I was afraid that this movie would not do the splendor of the original Broadway production justice, but director Jon M. Chu has outdone himself.
The storyline of the movie sets up the iconic and beloved plot of The Wizard of Oz, showing Erivo’s evolution from a young, beautiful soul named Elphaba, who just wanted to help others, to the Wicked Witch of the West. While assuring that the story stands out on its own, not simply resting on the laurels of the original film nor Broadway production, Chu pays homage to both predecessors in a nuanced and lovely way, invoking a sense of nostalgia. Whether that be a reference to the classic ruby red slippers or cameos from the original Wicked cast, Chu pays respect to some of the beloved features portrayed in the original motion picture and Broadway productions.
On a visual level, Pablo Helman, the visual effects supervisor of the production, with his team of CGI engineers alongside him, portrays so many of the incredible moments throughout this story in a very realistic way. Whether that be the grandeur of the Emerald City, the sleeping effect of the poppies, or the careening flight of the flying monkeys, Helman brings the unimaginable to life in such a way that one can nearly touch it; and when Elphaba takes flight on her broom for the first time, the audience is right there with her.
Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox, writers of the screenplay, dive deeper. Beyond rainbows and Munchkinland, Holzman and Fox explore the difficult concept of self-discovery, while simultaneously commenting on the state of the politics in the United States today. Though they focus greatly on Elphaba’s inner turmoil as she learns to accept who she is and use that for the benefit of others, the two screenwriters concurrently criticize the division, deceit and misinformation that plague the U.S. political landscape in today’s world.
Writing is one thing, but bringing those words to life is a completely different challenge. Erivo, supported by a star-studded cast, including Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum, puts on quite the show, perfectly personifying the battle of good and evil that everyone feels within themselves. Bailey, known for his role in Bridgerton, has all the charisma, arrogance and narcissism necessary to pull of the role of Fiyero, the heartthrob prince. Yeoh and Goldblum put their experience and skill to good use in supporting their younger colleagues.
The long-anticipated premier on Nov. 22, 2024 promises to present box office results that will defy gravity, and audiences will witness the beauty, anguish, joy and pain that Wicked: Part One entails. This movie is wicked.
