• Release year: 2024
• Director: Jon M. Chu.
• Producers: Marc Platt and David Stone.
• Screenplay by: Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox.
• Cinematography by: Alice Brooks.
• Music by: John Powell and Stephen Schwartz.

Shotgun Commentary: best way to introduce your kids to the meaning of genocide.

Review

Wicked is the first instalment of a two-part cinematic adaptation of the homonymous book by Gregory Maguire, later turned into a beloved Broadway musical that this author has, indeed, not watched. The film is reported to be based on this theatrical adaptation, which raises a huge question. If the musical lasts two hours and forty-five minutes, how can it be possible for JUST the first part of the cinematic adaptation, to be two hours and forty-one minutes? Math ain’t mathing.

Furthermore, and arguably a way more relevant question, if the play has an intermission due to its long duration, why doesn’t the film? Is the audience expected to have bigger, stronger bladders at the cinema than they do at the theatre? Is there some sort of obscure study nobody knows about? Are you meant to choose which song feels the most boring and use it as a loo break?

Follow the Grande brick road

Wicked has a very potent opening. A perfect reminder of where this product comes from, with flying monkeys, a witch’s hat in a puddle of unidentifiable matter, and a yellow brick road. This introduction gives way to the first song, where a village of munchkins celebrates the death of the Wicked Witch of the West, encouraged by Glinda’s confirmation of her passing.

Glinda (Ariana Grande), for all those who don’t remember or have never known, is supposed to be the good witch. At least that’s how she’s presented in The Wizard of Oz (1939). Contrary to that classic, there is no Dorothy in this celebration.

Grande, despite a characterisation that makes her look somewhat sickly, is a great choice for the part of Glinda. Her incredible voice is the main reason for this, a talent she does not shy away from in the feature. In fact, her characteristic high pitch might get a bit challenging if you are watching it at the cinema and happen to have sensitive hearing. Other than that, the role of rich, spoiled brat is one that Grande is clearly comfortable playing, so she delivers a very on-point performance.

Xs and Os

As for Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), her character actually evolves during the story. Contrary to Glinda, who stays as a spoiled, ignorant girl who thinks she’s a gift to Oz, Elphaba does face her daddy issues and find her inner power. A very welcomed transformation since it is pretty much the only thing that happens to a main character in the almost three hours of footage.

Their friendship is hysterically toxic from the very beginning, with Elphaba always giving and Glinda always taking. The only reason Glinda becomes friends with her is that Elphaba gives her what she wants. Then again, many friendships are like that and both parties are blissfully unaware, so it is not far-fetched at all.

What really feels like a lovely change from almost identical narratives like The School for Good and Evil (2022), is the role of the love interest. Of course, both friends fall in love with the same guy, Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey). He is a charming prince who sings about the bliss of ignorance (remember this during the next section), but is actually very sad inside because he cares under that facade of narcissism…

It’s too boring and clichéd to keep going, but you get the idea. The innovation is that, at least during this first part, there is no drama or quarrelling over him. For once, we are spared the ridiculous moment where two female characters completely forget about their own ambitions in favour of fighting over a guy.

The real story

Songs and popular cast aside, the film actually does have some substance. The themes brought up in its narrative are specially relevant nowadays. This will come as no surprise to people who have seen the Broadway musical or read the book, the film showcases a great depiction of the first stages of a genocide.

Death and torture are only hinted at. After all, this is still a children’s film. Even so, the first signs are shown so flawlessly that you won’t be able to stop your nape’s hair from raising. After some hints of racism and cruelty towards the animals that live in Oz as part of society, come the systematic erasure of history and the dehumanisation of this part of the community, followed by forcing them out of their jobs and… Well, if you know your history, you know how that ends.

Soul crushing storyline

Still, it is the first few steps, the jabs, that are most dangerous. People tend to forget that genocide doesn’t happen out of nowhere. That killing isn’t the first step, but the last of many. In the film, the forceful removal of a teacher from his class is met with passive student behaviour. No explicit violent is shown, yet this situation hits the hardest. Teaching children from a young age that passiveness is complicity, and that different isn’t evil, is one of the many ways one can begin to stop the process.

The manner in which a story that talks about bullying and racism quickly escalates into something so much more deadly and blood-chilling, is completely unexpected but terribly necessary. Moreover, it is the only salvageable bit of a text that otherwise merely drags on for three hours what could have easily been told in half of the time.

Happy eyes, sad ears

Despite the disappointment of not finding a single memorable song in a musical longer than a carb-less day, Wicked does manage to get one thing right: the style. The production design is absolutely flawless. From the stunning university they attend, to the whimsical forest where pink and green seem to rule over the atmosphere, every single space is gorgeous, unique, and a 100% Oz.

Naturally, the styling of the characters follows suit. The wardrobe pieces and hairstyles are so spectacular that it is a strain to choose where to focus your attention. Every outfit screams the character’s personality, intentions and even priorities. There is but one tiny detail that haunts this writer, and that is the meaning behind the two glitter blobs on Glinda’s shoulders during the opening scene. What’s that about? If anyone knows, please do share.

All in all, Wicked is a fanciful film about friendship and prejudice, with an incredibly dark but crucial text slightly hidden underneath the layer of glitter that seems to cover the whole tale. The cast is wonderful, as are all the departments in charge of the visuals, the choreographers and the stun artists.

Thanks to Universal for big-screen access! Wicked will be released the 22th of November in UK and the US.

Advice to take from this movie:

• Judging people because they are different is for ignorants.
• Don’t believe anything blindly. It’s always healthy to question the reality around you.
• Never trust a man who hides behind a gigantic mask.

What’s your take? Have you watched Wicked? Don’t hesitate to let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, or leave a message in my contact page! For more reviews and cinema-related articles, check out the rest of my blog! 😀