The minute the credits started for Wicked the movie I knew this was going to be an extraordinary experience. The musical theater kid in me has been waiting for this movie for so long and she was more than wowed from the start. Oh my Oz!
Wicked, as anyone who hasn’t been living under a rock for the better part of 20 years knows, is the intricate back story about Oz’s Wicked Witch of the West. Originally brought to Broadway, Wicked had everyone pondering: are people born wicked or does something turn them wicked? Or in other words, how does the “bad guy” become “the bad guy”? If The Wizard of Oz was the fall, Wicked is most definitely the rise of Elphaba Thropp (aka the Wicked Witch of the West).
For those of us who have seen the Broadway show, we were waiting with bated breath to see how it would be brought to the big screen. We watched with chills and glee as the movie ran for 2 hours and 55 minutes and never once felt the running time was long (unless you had an extra-large beverage).
Every intricate detail was included to make Oz come to life. Seeing Broadway choreography using the whole screen was enrapturing. At times the experience felt like the best version of High School Musical (like during a scene in the Shiz University cafeteria). At other times it felt reminiscent of What Dreams May Come (when seeing the luxurious grandeur and colors of the scenery and use of brilliant special effects). The dance scenes, make-up and costumery brought me back to the live-action version of Beauty and the Beast. The harmonies of every single person singing overwhelmed me with awe as the story came to life.
A true Broadway show on the big screen, you could tell that all the principal characters made sure every moment on screen was their A+ game. Without giving any spoilers, I can honestly say true Wizard of Oz fans will love every call back and easter egg. You will most definitely want to see this movie more than once because you’ll want to rewatch over and over to catch anything you missed…and of course sing along (in your best lip-synching fashion). Tip: bring a couple of tissues if you’re a crier.
If this movie isn’t up for every award, I’d be surprised. My wish for nominations: Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba) as Best Actress and Ariana Grande (Glinda) as Best Supporting Actress so they’re not up against each other and because this really is the story of Elphaba. So come on down to the Oz Dust Ballroom and catch Wicked every chance you can get. You’ll thank me later – R. Moses