Wicked review: Ariana Grande glimmers, Cynthia Erivo powers through a bewitching tale

Wicked weaves magic and melancholy into a dazzling tale, though its length makes it feel drawn out.

Wicked review

Wicked

Wicked story:

Cynthia Erivo portrays Elphaba, a green-skinned girl, who is misunderstood and yet to discover her power, in Wicked, the untold tale of the Oz witches, while Ariana Grande portrays Glinda, a privileged and popular girl uncertain about her true identity. They meet as students at Oz's Shiz University and develop an unexpected yet deep bond. After meeting The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship undergoes a significant transformation, leading to a dramatic divergence in their lives. The Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good will accept their fates after their incredible Oz journeys.

Wicked review:

One of the movies that I rewatch the most is Crazy Rich Asians (2018), directed by Jon M. Chu. So, Wicked definitely got me intrigued. Based on the generation-defining musical stage play, Wicked tells the origin story of Wicked the Witch and explains why she earned her name. However, the 2024 release only covers the first part of the story, with the second part scheduled for release next year. So, despite a musical spanning nearly two hours and forty minutes, we have yet to reach the conclusion of the story. So, let's explore whether it's a wise decision to invest in this lengthy yet incomplete big-screen experience.

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Wicked has everything that defines what happens in a high school or early college life setup. We have a popular girl—an outcast who is in a dilemma about whether to fit in or not—and a very handsome young man who can make a possible love triangle. In popular culture, we have seen an Archie-esque set-up that has gotten mixed responses depending on the storytelling and the ultimate execution. 

Over the years, the musical play has grabbed millions of audiences on Broadway and has become a blockbuster. Let's delve into the film. It commences with the declaration of the Wicked Witch of the West's (Cynthia Erivo) death, and Glinda (Ariana Grande), the Good Witch of the North, joins the festivities. However, questions arise about Glinda's friendship with the Wicked, dating back to their time as students at Oz's Shiz University.

In the process, we see Elphaba Thropp, a young girl who gives a shock to everyone when she enters the world with green skin. Not only that, but she also possesses magical powers that frighten and make everyone shun her away. However, the Dean of Sorcery at Shiz University, Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), warmly welcomes Elphaba upon her arrival and promises to teach her how to control her powers in private teaching sessions.

On the other hand, Glinda Upland, who has not stepped her naked feet on the floor, believes that being "popular" is the mantra to live by. Madame Morrible binds them together, transforming their initial animosity toward each other into a mutually supportive partnership in no time.

Chu skilfully adapts the screenplay by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox to bring the story to life. Elphaba and Glinda, who are rediscovering each other, exhibit a range of emotions. The movie employs common stereotypes of "popular" girls showing signs of being "mean girls," yet there's always a Veronica from Archies who possesses a positive side, despite being spoilt and privileged and lacking the knowledge to comprehend the emotions of others.

What elevates Wicked is how the twist, though always present, becomes visible when the third act begins. The dominants consistently hold the powerful belief, "The best way to bring folks together is to give them a real good enemy." However, when two individuals possess similar powers, their purposes need not align, and this can significantly alter the trajectory of the narrative.

When the action slows down, the actors truly excel. Grande brings Glinda's carefree, popular-girl attitude to life with her head-turning, pink-popping looks. She makes fun of her own incredible vocal range by dropping high notes into plain sentences.

Arguably, the more difficult task is Erivo. It is Elphaba who experiences the full range of human emotion, from despair and rejection to love and stridency and, ultimately, fury. Despite Elphaba's exceptional acting, the character itself lacks complexity and the captivating elements of Wicked.

Unexpectedly, one of the film's most powerful scenes occurs at its most subdued, which is the interval block here. Elphaba faces ridicule at a school party for donning the black hat that Glinda had instructed her to wear. In response, Elphaba makes up her own rhythmic dance steps to beat the music. The deafening silence and the gasps from the onlookers, coupled with her eyes turning red and tears welling up, signal that the emotionally heartbreaking moment is here to stay.

Yeoh, who we witnessed undergoing a necessary character arc in Crazy Rich Asians, embodies the exact opposite of the personality we witnessed there. Well, that was expected! If there's a hunky-dory story, the one who comes to her aid is the only one who destroys you to the core. 

However, the movie may nonetheless drag. In a live-action film, where the production value must equally capture your attention, the actors' performances play a more crucial role. While the visuals in Wicked are impressive in scale, they are frequently lacking in depth and fail to pique our interest in the world around us.

Having said that, Wicked is a visual treat, with two performers—Erivo and Grande—combining extremely high notes to create a blend that is both musical and heartbreaking. Despite its length, the monologues in the form of songs, ranging from Popular to I'm Not That Girl and Defying Gravity, evoke strong emotions and tingle your toes.

Wicked verdict:

Wicked casts a spell that's as dazzling as it is demanding, blending defying gravity performances with moments that might leave you not that girl invested. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are a popular duo, serving powerhouse vocals and chemistry that soars higher than a flying broomstick.

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