Wicked (2024)

"Why is it you're always causing some sort of commotion?"

"I don't cause commotions, I am one."

Elphaba Thropp (Erivo) is looking for a place to belong. Her green skin causes people, including her father, to turn away. She accompanues her sister Nessarose (Bode) to Shiz University, where she manages to impress the Dean of Sorcery Madame Morrible (Yeoh), who offers her a prestigious position. 

Galinda Upland (Grande-Butera) is used to getting what she wants. At Shiz University she is the most popular student and has a coveted room. But she really wants to study with Madame Morrible, who barely knows she is alive. Galinda and Elphaba are forced to share a room.

Despite an ugly start, Elphaba and Galinda form an unlikely friendship. They also become friends with transfer student Fiyero (Bailey) and Munchkin Boq (Slater). Bad things are happening around them, and when that ugliness comes to Shiz, can they work together to fix it?

The film version of the hit Broadway musical "Wicked", which is an adaptation of the 1995 novel "Wicked: the Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West" by Gregory Maguire. It is essentially a prequel to "The Wizard of Oz", focusing on the witches.

The Good:

Cynthia Erivo has an incredible voice and is excellent as Elphaba. Ariana Grande is surprisingly good as Galinda/Glinda. She is funny and overly dramatic which works well foe the part. Jonathan Bailey works well as Fiyero. I had concerns about some casting choices, but everyone works well.

 

The Bad:

Some parts drag a bit. But at the same time, it would be nice to see more of thr friendship with Boq, Fiyero, and Nessarose.

Other Comments:

-This is the first half of the musical. Part 2, Wicked: For Good, will premiere in November 2025.

-The song "One Short Day" includes an extended focus on Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth, who originated the roles of Elphaba and Glinda, in the original Broadway show. The composer Stephen Schwartz has a brief cameo in the same song.

-The choreography in "Dancing Through Life" is great. It is a fun scene.

-I thoroughly enjoyed this film. I love musicals and I had high expectations for this film (I enjoy the Broadway soundtrack). It was well made with strong, compelling performances. 

Wicked (2024) 160 minutes 

Rating: PG for some scary action, thematic material and brief suggestive material. 

Director: Jon M. Chu

Starring: Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba Thropp

Ariana Grande-Butera as Galinda Upland

Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero Tigelaar

Ethan Slater as Boq Woodsman

Bowen Yang as Pfannee

Marissa Bode as Nessarose Thropp

Peter Dinklage as the voice of Dr. Dillamond

Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible

Jeff Goldblum as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Bronwyn James as Shenshen

Andy Nyman as Governor Thropp