Directed by Jon M. Chu (In the Heights (2021); Crazy Rich Asians (2018); G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013)) and starring Cynthia Erivo (Harriet (2019); Widows (2018), Pinocchio (2022)), Ariana Grande (Don't Look Up (2021), Victorious (TV series, 2010-13)), Jeff Goldblum (Jurassic Park (1993), The Fly (1986), Independence Day (1996); The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)), Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022); Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000); Crazy Rich Asians (2018); Tomorrow Never Dies (2017)) and Jonathan Bailey (The Mercy (2018); Bridgerton (TV series (2020-24); Broadchurch (TV series, 2013-15)).
Musical; 160 mins; 6+
Based on the 1995 novel entitled "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West" by Gregory Maguire written as a prequel to L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900), and the Tony-winning musical adaptation of Maguire's novel which opened on Broadway in 2003, written by Winnie Holzman and composed by Stephen Schwartz; this film adaptation is the first part of a two-part adaptation of the Broadway musical - it is faithful to the musical's first act, including the soundtrack.
It features Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), a misunderstood young woman because of her green skin, and Galinda (Ariana Grande), a popular girl, who become friends at Shiz University in the Land of Oz. Under the tutelage of Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), they discover that they are to be room-mates, starting out as polar opposites and just about putting up with each other, until eventually they start to glow closer and become friends. However, this happens only after dashing Fyero (Jonathan Bailey) enters the scene as a fellow student and attracts the attention of both girls.
As Elphaba conjures up her magical powers, albeit completely out of control, the results are for everyone to see; however, Madame Morrible sees Elphaba's potential and arranges for her to be invited to meet The Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum). In the meantime, the students witness the treatment of animals - many of whom can talk and some even teach at the university - and cannot understand why they are being persecuted.
Even though the invitation is just for one and is non-transferable, at the last minute Elphaba persuades Galinda to travel with her. They discover a strange world and uncover the reason why Elphaba was singled out for an invitation; during this time, their friendship reaches a crossroads...
While the first half an hour is supposed to set the scene, it is very clumsily done and leaves the audience asking if the hype has been worth it. But if you can hang in for the long haul - the running time is over two and a half hours, very long for a primarily young audience - it is well worth it. It is not just the special effects in all shapes and forms, it is the storytelling that really makes it work as it reveals a lot of the backstory (well, half of it anyway, as Part 2 is due for releace in November 2025) to the well-known The Wizard of Oz film/story and the characters involved. Nevertheless, the part about the monkeys watching birds as a premise of wanting to fly, really was a gaping plot hole...
If you can see past the negative aspects, and there are more than the couple detailed here, this is a rich piece of cinema which should attract many people, young and old alike, to the big screens in cinemas, partly as it is approaching the holiday season.
Wicked: Part 1 is going on general release in Luxembourg from Wednesday 4 December 2024 at Kinepolis and CiNextDoor.
