‘WICKED’: THE MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT
When it comes to anything that is of-the-moment popular, Wicked is yet another title I am only just seeing as it makes it mark on streaming. Let’s dig in and see whether the film works for my viewing tastes.
Wicked (2024) Film Review
In Oz, the Wicked Witch is dead. The people are dancing in the streets! Long before this event two women meet and the pair form a kind of friendship. Unliked and ill-treated because of her curious green skin, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) walks through life with sarcasm, trying to cope with the jeers. Never really understood, she isn’t thrilled to be sharing space in her university room with Galinda (Ariana Grande-Butera). The two couldn’t be more different.
Galinda is popular, pretty and well liked, and Elphaba has no time for any of that. But while these two women may have destinies to fulfill, they also find in each other a most unexpected friendship.
‘WICKED’: THE MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT. Reviewing (late as usual) the buzzy blockbuster film #Wicked. #AiranaGrande Share on X
This film is, safe to say, the buzziest of the box office from the last holiday season. It was hyped long before that even with its controversial casting of Ariana Grande (lots of doubt she’d live up to Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth). While I haven’t seen anyone else play, outside of the classic Wizard of Oz film, Galinda, the consensus is she’s good. Based on interviews, she did take this role seriously and made the choice to put her best foot forward in the playing of the iconic role. Apart from knowing she’s a pop star, I don’t really know her as an artist, and the same can be said for the rest of the cast.
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I have heard of Jonathan Bailey and Cynthia Erivo is a household name after this role. You also hear the voice talents of Peter Dinklage and Michelle Yeoh is fabulous, as always. They all play their roles with sass, pizazz and talent. Not only do they have to act, but they also get to show off their vocals, and everyone, to a layman’s ears, sounds good. The set up and framing of the film is also gorgeous, and provides us with iconic shots, but also is cinema fresh because of its origin scripting.
Like I said, this is about origins and as a result, won’t be the traditional kind of Dorothy travels to Oz legend. Another thing about Wicked is it’s one of those big budgets and just, big kind of film that has a lot going on. From the story, which at its heart is one of friendship, trying to belong and choices, to the costumes and dance sequences, there is a lot about this we can say is done up on a grand scale. Wicked does have the misfortune of being a primary genre I don’t love all the time. I like my films to have good conversations and be able to truly see the cast acting. So musicals are titles I have to be in the “right mood” for.
Still, I can fully appreciate that this film is bursting with charm and musical stunners. Wicked is one of those films that I can easily say isn’t hard to understand the hype for. It does run a little too long, but is full of color and the cast is charming enough to draw us in.
Stream, at publication, on Peacock; or digitally purchase or rent on places like Prime Video
Photos: Alamy
Content: there isn’t much to note in this film. It has the PG rating which is for some violence. Mostly fantasy violence. We see some terrifying (as is the usual legend of Oz) creatures, and frightening scenes when Elphaba uses magic. There is a reveal that a woman has an affair.
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