Lack of Visual Variety in Musical Adaptation

A lot happened in Oz before Dorothy dropped in. Wicked, an enchanting prequel story to The Wizard of Oz that reimagines the story from the perspective of its witches, finally lands on movie screens more than 20 years after Gregory Maguire’s novel was adapted into one of the biggest Broadway hits of the 21st century. If The Wizard of Oz is about the magic of childhood and how we look back on it as an adult, then Wicked is about the adolescence in between: Making and losing friends, falling in love, and reckoning with the physical and mental traits that set you apart from those around you.

Directed by Jon M. Chu (In the Heights), the new film adaptation stars Broadway veteran Cynthia Erivo as green-skinned Elphaba (named for the initials of The Wizard of Oz author L. Frank Baum), who will one day be known as the Wicked Witch of the West, while pop star Ariana Grande plays Galinda, who will eventually be called Glinda the Good. This Wicked only covers the first half of Stephen Schwartz’s Broadway musical but begins at the end, opening with Elphaba’s death at the hands of a certain girl (and her little dog, too) and then flashing back to detail the witch’s upbringing and friendship with Galinda.

Meeting at Shiz University

They first met at Shiz University, Oz’s equivalent of Hogwarts, where Galinda was the Regina George-esque popular girl while Elphaba was scorned and outcast for her green skin. But Elphaba has something the rest of them lack: Real magical power, enough raw talent to catch the eye of Madame Morrible (played by recent Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh). Morrible believes that, under her tutelage, Elphaba could even be worthy of working with the wonderful Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum).

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Performance and Challenges

Erivo first made her name on Broadway in The Color Purple musical and now takes on the challenge of portraying Elphaba. Wicked presents a new challenge as she works to make the iconic songs her own, especially “The Wizard and I” and “Defying Gravity”. Grande, on the other hand, excels at portraying Galinda’s aesthetic and attitude but struggles with the character’s signature song.

Grande also excels at the scenes between the songs, showcasing her acting skills. However, when it comes to the demanding songs like “Popular,” she falls a bit short.

Musical Accomplishments

One of the adaptation’s biggest musical accomplishments is the performance of “Dancing Through Life,” where the charming prince Fiyero steals the show, portrayed by Jonathan Bailey. The song is set in a library full of rotating shelves, allowing the dancers to showcase their moves while Bailey infuses the number with his personality.

The visual aspects of the movie, however, fall short due to the repetitive CGI enhancements, lacking the magic seen in the original Wizard of Oz’s contrast between Kansas and Oz.

Political Allegory

The heart of Wicked carries a political allegory that feels timely, reflecting themes of political radicalization and oppression. As the story delves deeper into underground resistance, it may resonate with viewers in the current political climate.

This adaptation of Wicked leaves audiences wanting more, ending on a note of continuation. While it tells a complete story, the visuals could use a bit more magic. Overall, the film receives a Grade: B.

FAQs

Q: Is Wicked a standalone movie or part of a series?

A: Wicked is a standalone movie that covers the first half of the Broadway musical adaptation.

Q: Who are the main stars of Wicked?

A: Cynthia Erivo plays Elphaba, while Ariana Grande portrays Galinda in the new film adaptation.

Credit: ew.com