WICKED - A Review by Jenn Rohm

WICKED – A Review by Jenn Rohm

In 1995, I discovered Gregory Maguire’s book Wicked. This book helped me better understand the importance of considering other perspectives and wanting more information before making decisions for myself. Years later, the book was turned into a musical, with Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel cast in the two primary roles. These women (and the cast they worked with and all others that followed) helped create a large and devoted fan base.

The fans will be able to point out any differences between the book, the live performance, and this movie. This movie will also create more devoted fans of the piece and hopefully more book readers. I should disclose that I am a fan of the book. With time constraints and the addition of musical numbers, the live show could not cover 100% of the original material. When I learned that the film would be almost three hours long and cover the first act, I hoped that more material from the book would be pulled in… sadly, my hopes were dashed.

For those unfamiliar with the book or the musical, Wicked is the story of “The Wicked Witch of the West,” who she was, and how the land of Oz came to see her as the villain. The beloved bubble-traveling Glinda tells this tale to the residents of Munchkin Land.

When Ariana Grande was ten years old, she went backstage after a live performance and met Chenoweth. Grande stated she hoped that one day she would play the role of Glinda. Knowing this and Grande’s fandom of Chenoweth helps me accept how many moments I felt Grande was impersonating Chenoweth as Glinda instead of her interpretation of the role. I fully acknowledge the level of time, devotion, and talent to mimic so closely that I had to look at the face on the screen to tell the difference.

Cynthia Erivo does bring something different to the role of Elphaba (aka The Wicked Witch of the West). With the addition of movie magic, the audience could see the cast’s facial expressions in crowds and close-up scenes. Erivo’s performance showed she can convey deep emotion with more than her voice.

I understand multiple factors are involved when casting for a piece like this. It doesn’t just have acting talent; they must also be able to sing at a level that compliments or matches others, dance, and, in this case, ride a horse well. Jonathan Bailey is talented and able to meet the requirements. From all the interviews and clips I have seen, he appears to be a delightful person. He is about twenty years older than the role, and it showed. I know a bit of double standard here as I am one of the first who will be upset someone wasn’t cast when, in real life, they are the right age for a part and a much younger person is cast. I mention this because while the cast is of legal age (more than just in some cases), they come across as young. In moments where the character Fiyero is flirting with his fellow students, it just did not sit well with me.

The good outweighs my issues. The color is vibrant where it needs to be, the choreography wows, there is more talent than any one film should have (there will be a part two), and there are several breathtaking scenes. Of course, some of my favorite costumes come later in the movie when Elphaba and Glinda arrive in Oz. This is partly due to my favorite colors being in combination all over and also because of the creativity of what Oz could be.

For fans of Wicked, fans of musicals, and musical theater “kids”, it is well worth the price to go and see this in a theater that works with your budget. (Yes, IMAX, if that won’t break your holiday bank.)

Director: Jon M. Chu

Cast: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey

MPAA Rating: This film is rated PG for some scary action, thematic material, and brief suggestive material.

Selig Rating: 4 stars

Runtime: 2h 40m

Release Date: November 22, 2024

Genre(s): Fantasy, Musical, Romance

Movie Site: Wicked official website

Trailer: Wicked official trailer

The Selig Rating Scale:

5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.

4 Stars – Good movie/show