"Wicked" Adaptation defies expectations

   Published Dec. 17, 2024

Felix Locker

News Editor

The most recent broadway smash turned movie, “Wicked,” hit theaters on Nov. 22 to critical success. Created by Universal Pictures and directed by Jon M. Chu, who is most known for 2018’s “Crazy Rich Asians,” and 2021’s “In The Heights,” “Wicked” is an adaptation of the 2003 play “Wicked” which is also an adaptation of the 1995 book “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.” Though the movie is as long as the broadway musical, this movie is part one of two with the second part being estimated to release on Nov. 21 of 2025. 

“Wicked” is about Elphaba, played by Cynthia Ervio, a social outcast due to her green colored skin and Glinda, played by Ariana Grande, a privileged and rich popular girl. The two characters are students at Shiz University in the magical land of Oz where they must become roommates with each other. The two eventually form an unlikely yet profound friendship, but meeting The Wizard Of Oz, played by Jeff Goldblum, their friendship gets challenged as they both begin going down vastly different paths.

In the past, Broadway musicals like 2019’s “Cats” or 2004’s “The Phantom of the Opera” have not translated well to the silver screen, especially with the songs and acting. But “Wicked” does amazing, from the acting, to the sets and even to the songs. The scoring and dialogue are as phenomenal as the musical is, with the dialogue being nearly the same as it was on Broadway. The play is able to stick to the source material’s drama-comedy theme, displaying a masterful ability to go from light hearted jokes to stress inducing drama. The moments that added to the runtime positively affect the movie, such as moments that add more humor or more suspense as well as scenes that flesh out the world. 

Grande spectacularly plays Glinda, as well as Ervio’s exceptional performance as Elphaba.

Supporting cast like Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, and Marissa Bode give such life and depth to the film. Though it’s half of the story, it still has all the punch as the play. Whether you go in blind or if you’ve seen the musical, it’s a wonderful movie that’ll most definitely leave you in awe and anticipation for next year.