Wicked Defies Gravity and Lives Up to Expectations
Cities around the world have dressed in pink and green to welcome Wicked, the highly anticipated cinematic event of the year. After two decades as one of Broadway's most acclaimed and longest-running musicals, the Wizard of Oz prequel has finally made its way to the big screen.
Director Jon M. Chu succeeds in touching the audience’s hearts with this special and ambitious adaptation. Beyond transporting us to a magical world, it highlights the importance of female friendships in mainstream content and reveals the untold truth about the infamous Wicked Witch of the West. The film casts an empathetic light on her maligned character and paints a critical portrait of a society that views anyone who defies norms as an enemy.
Wicked proudly embraces its musical identity throughout its two-hour-and-forty-minute runtime. With a cast that shines in its diversity, stunning sets, gravity-defying dance numbers, and a storyline brimming with emotion, Chu delivers exactly what fans of the theatrical production were hoping for—and does so on a grand scale. However, it is the protagonists, Glinda and Elphaba, who truly make the film sparkle. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo deliver stellar performances, seamlessly navigating between parody-like humor and the gravity of deep, intimate drama. Together, they do justice to a pop culture phenomenon, bringing legendary songs like "Popular" and "Defying Gravity" to life with their powerful voices.
The dedication of both artists to this project is truly admirable. In a show of solidarity with the original Broadway actresses—and despite the technical challenges this posed—they chose to sing live throughout the entire film, resulting in a more spontaneous and spectacular performance.
The film revives a genre that has long been undervalued and stereotypically associated with female and LGBTQ+ audiences. Unfortunately, many still feel uneasy about enjoying musicals, especially when it comes to a film that openly celebrates individuality and features two women unafraid to express their emotions. But it’s time to set aside those prejudices and let yourself be captivated by a story that ultimately speaks to universal themes such as friendship, hatred, and the fine line between good and evil.
This is a delightful yet moving work that leaves us wanting more. For its conclusion, however, we’ll have to wait an entire year until late 2025. Here’s hoping the time flies by.
