Jon M. Chu is no stranger to directing movie adaptations of Broadway musicals. His last feature, In The Heights, was adapted from a Broadway show of the same name. This time, he has turned to the Broadway show Wicked, a prequel to the classic story of The Wizard of Oz.
Musicals are a tricky genre to pull off. If the spoken dialogue doesn’t seamlessly segue into songs, it can easily come across as gimmicky. But because Chu is an experienced director, that doesn’t happen here.
From the get-go, the film oozes mystery and suspense as it shows something intriguing and then takes you back in time to explain how it transpired. This flashback approach worked well for me, personally, because I am not familiar with the lore of The Wizard of Oz.
At 160 minutes, the runtime is long, especially for Hollywood films, which can be off-putting for many. However, the film’s $100M+ domestic weekend box office proves that there is an appetite for longer movies.
What makes the experience of watching this otherwise lengthy movie so breezy and pleasant?
The very first reason would be its cast.
Cynthia Erivo plays Elphaba, a girl born green, which leads to her being outcast and ostracized. It’s not an easy character to portray because she is determined and strong. She won’t tolerate anyone’s nonsense and knows how to retaliate. Her being different causes her great sorrow, but she doesn’t let that bring her down. She rises through her inherent talent, strength, and most of all, her kindness. She has the potential to change hearts—and through her, the film does too.
Ariana Grande plays Glinda (alias Galinda), a rich, pretty, and privileged blonde. Her character exemplifies that “pretty privilege” is very much a real thing. At first, she feels like the stereotypical vamp with her two minions and her sly, manipulative nature—all while putting on a facade of kindness, innocence, and goody-two-shoes behavior. However, as the film progresses, we see that she isn’t a one-note villain. There are shades to her character, and I can’t wait to see more of her in Part Two.
Oh yes, there’s going to be a Part Two. Just like Denis Villeneuve did with Dune, the first part is spent almost entirely on world-building, familiarizing the audience with the characters, and presenting an origin story for the main lead. So, there will be much more action and story development in the sequel.
Jonathan Bailey plays Fiyero, a prince who isn’t from Oz but is visiting as a guest. And oh, is he beautiful. My first thought after seeing his look and hearing his dialogue and singing voice was that he’d make a great Prince Charming. We are definitely going to see more of this actor in the future.
Up until now, people who follow awards season religiously might have assumed that Dune: Part Two would sweep all the technical awards. However, Wicked is going to give it a run for its money.
The production design is magnificent, the VFX believable, and the cinematography and costumes make this imaginary world of Oz a place one would love to visit. The pink hues at times pleasantly reminded me of Barbie, and the way they balanced them with green is spectacular.
Props to the choreographers, as every dance number made me want to get up from my seat and sway with the characters. The standout is Jonathan Bailey’s “Dancing Through Life.” What an energetic song, complemented by magnetic choreography!
That said, the film does falter in the writing department at times. The dialogue feels childish, amateur, and borderline cringe-worthy in various instances. For example, the word hideotic (likely a combination of hideous and idiotic) is used by Glinda, and it felt absurd. The professor of sorcery at Shiz University says “Congratulotions” in her welcome speech, and the headmistress calls herself the “Head Shizstress.” There are many other similar instances that bring down an otherwise mature, dark, and fun movie to the level of a children’s film.
Despite these shortcomings, the overall story is gripping, and all the songs are lyrically meaningful. It’s just the dialogue that lacks substance at times. Still, Wicked: Part One is a great time at the cinema and cements Jon M. Chu as a blockbuster director to watch out for. It also proves that it’s not just Disney that can pull off fairytale musicals so well.
Mihir, now a practicing doctor, gracefully navigates the delicate balance between the demands of medicine and the enchantment of cinema. Amidst patient consultations and hospital rounds, he finds sanctuary and inspiration in the magical world of film. For Mihir, movies are not merely an escape but a reservoir of renewed energy, where each frame whispers tales that reignite his spirit. His dual identity as a healer and a cinephile weaves a unique tapestry, lending Review Tales a voice that is both profound and poetic.