The movie version of the Tony award-winning Broadway musical Wicked will draw in the most fervent lovers of the original work, but it remained to be seen whether or not the production would stand up to the test, pleasing both fans of the stage musical and new audiences alike.
Jon M. Chu has pulled off what many thought impossible -- he not only brings the story intact to the big screen, but furnishes it with a fresh, beautifully dimensional and colorful set that's pleasing in every way.
The casting of the two leads is also surprisingly perfect. Tony award-winning Cynthia Erivo is completely believable as the naive, hopeful young woman who was born with green skin. Ariana Grande, who began her career on Broadway at age 13, has the musical talent to pull off Glinda's demanding soprano vocal range. Not only that, but she nails the role of the pampered, spoiled young girl who's openly used to always getting her way. Erivo plays Elphaba with depth and emotion, and belts out the hit tune "Defying Gravity" with ease, as if it's not one of the most difficult songs in Broadway history.
Glinda and Elphaba begin the show as sworn enemies, but slowly, over the course of the first act, they become the best of friends. And although the two young women take center stage, the male character Fiyero, played by Jonathan Bailey, is an integral part and perfectly cast. Boastful, macho, funny, seemingly simple but incredibly complex, Fiyero is a role that requires a range of talent and Bailey brings it all to his portrayal. It's difficult to imagine anyone more ideal for the part.
Wicked is split into two parts -- on stage it's a long musical with two acts, and on the screen the first act is even longer with the addition of stunning cinematography and special effects. With the movie version of Wicked, we get the first act and Wicked: Part 2 will offer the second act -- a wise decision because every minute of the story is important to the integrity of the overall tale.
There's absolutely nothing that could have made this a better interpretation. There are even a couple of cameos that will blow audiences away when they appear towards the end of this movie. Wicked is funny, touching, beautiful to listen to and watch, and instead of being not quite as good as the stage version, as some other Broadway musicals that have tried to make the transition before, it's every bit as wonderful, if not even more so.
Wicked opens Friday, November 22, 2024 in theaters, and Wicked: Part 2 follows on November 21, 2025. ~Alexandra Heilbron
5 out of 5 stars.
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WICKED is a brilliant balm for a hurting humanity. It tells people of all skin colors, nationalities, creeds, genders, personal identification: LGBTQII, ages, and people of all ability and disability that you don't have to wait for a white person or anyone indoctrinated into any political and/or religious cult-like mentality to lift you out of oppression. WICKED masterfully addresses what it means to have integrity in the face of opposition, stilted values, and living in freedom and love without conditions. WICKED is not for you if you prefer servitude over freedom or blind obedience over critical thinking. WICKED is for you if prefer to stand up for yourself by choosing freedom of thought over censorship. book banning, & segregation.
What is the cost of a ticket to see WICKEDi At AMC 309 IN NORTH WALES.
Peg, it ranges from $11.99 to $14.99 for a regular showing and $15.99 to $18.99 for 3D. Click on the showtimes blue ticket button and you'll get to the page where you can pick a seat, then it will show what the prices are for different ages on different days.