Thereve beensequels, books, adaptations, remakes, games,you name it.
Thankfully, it delivers… for the most part.
The Wicked Witch is dead and all of Oz is celebrating the loss.
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in Wicked.Image: Universal
That even goes for Galinda who, we soon learn, went to school with the witch.
Galinda is a popular, pink-clad princess.
Shes perky, smiley, and everyone wants to be friends with her.
Galinda (Ariana Grande) and her fellow Shiz U students inWicked– Universal
Elphaba, on the other hand, is quite the opposite.
Her green skin makes her an outcast and her stoic, direct demeanor puts her at odds with Galinda.
Since this is a movie, not a stage production, theres much more bolstering that basic setup.
Grande and Erivo – Universal
We see flashbacks of Elphabas childhood.
A lot of time is spent with Galindas friends and some of it feels a little overstuffed and superfluous.
The two are complete opposites, instant enemies, but are forced to room together.
Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Yeoh inWicked– Universal
Once the song What Is This Feeling?
hits, a vibrant, joyous feeling begins to build.
There are pranks, there are jokes, and its very easy to become invested in their dynamics.
Whenever the film is focused on them, its phenomenal.
They go from foes to friends in scenes largely driven by their electric chemistry and the musicals incredible songs.
Whenever the film is not about Galinda and Elphaba though, it drags a bit.
The plotline about new boy at school Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) is cute, but lacking.
Anytime the movie is about any of those things, its just okay.
As Galinda, Grande is magnetic.
All throughout, Chus direction fires on all cylinders.
The musical numbers are staged on massive practical sets, filled with extras, all wearing stunning clothing.
(Note: Keep an eye on the eyeglasses in the movie.
They are amazing.)
Because, as good as Grande and Erivio are as actors, each is probably an even better singer.
Adults will enjoy it too because its been made to be enjoyable but its really quite basic.
If you didnt know there was a second film coming in 2025, you probably wouldnt care.
you might connect the dots from this ending toThe Wizard of Ozin your head.
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