“Wicked” (2024) – Jeff Goldblum’s Wickedly Wonderful Wizard of Oz Prequel

Director: John M. Chu

Starring: Jeff Goldblum, Cynthia Erivo and Arianda Grande

‘A Captivating Musical’

When it comes to the best musicals ever made without flaws, it’s worth praising “The Wizard of Oz”. Since its release back in 1939, Viktor Fleming’s movie has stood the test of time as an iconic classic. As precious as the land of Oz, the film gained a big following because of its strong depiction of women that deserve a round of applause. With colourful characters, memorable music and engaging storytelling, the commemorated film earned a big following. Like a tornado, it led audiences to follow dreams somewhere over the rainbow. Audiences admire a yellow brick road leading to a magical world which is iconic. Through introductions of a fantastical world which is compelling, the film achieved a huge following. A celebrated piece of Cinema, the commemorated movie forever changed the fantasy genre. Several years later, the classical musical has stood the test of time as a celebrated piece of entertainment which audiences would forever treasure.

As someone treasuring a legendary musical about witches that are wicked, I appreciated “Wicked”. Released in 2024, John M. Chu’s movie provided a wonderful prequel for an iconic musical. Packed with bold production, memorable musical numbers and fantastic acting, it’s one of the greatest musicals ever made. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Cynthia Erivo, who portrays one of the most iconic witches in cinematic history. Ultimately, what makes “Wicked” a classic is its message. The movie delivers a meaningful message about importance of finding one’s identity which would resonate with everyone. Although “Wicked” is truly a mesmerizing musical, ultimately it isn’t quite flawless. It suffers from an extended running-time that tests viewers’ patience. That being said, it offers exhilarating entertainment that fans of the original 1939 movie won’t be able to resist.

Set before the events of “The Wizard of Oz”, “Wicked” tells the story of how the Wicked witch came to be. Cynthia Erivo embodies Elphaba, a green-skinned witch living in the land of Oz. Due to the unique colour of her skin, Elphaba is a marginalized woman that’s always mistreated poorly in society. However, Elphaba’s life drastically changes when she develops a bold friendship with Glinda (Ariana Grande). Despite their strong differences in personality, Elphaba gets along rather well with Glinda. Their unlikely friendship is tested when the two pursue different career paths. Glinda sets off on a journey to become a good witch while Elphaba embarks upon a journey to be a witch that’s wicked. As their ideologies clash, Elphaba wonders whether it’s possible for her to find acceptance in the magical land of Oz. Facing a dilemma, Elphaba wonders if it’s possible to find acceptance in a world that causes trauma.

John M. Chu has often been fascinated with the musical genre. Before he had produced “Wicked”, Chu was well-known for movies in the musical genre. His award-winning movie “In the Heights” provided a strong adaptation of a beloved Broadway musical about lives of immigrants living in Washington Heights. With “Wicked”, however, Chu made his first remake of a celebrated musical. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to reimagine a classic Broadway musical about magical wizards but he pulled it off effectively. Through bold cinematography, Chu demonstrates the rivalry between a pair of witches causing catastrophe. Chu successfully uses montages to capture the rivalry between two different witches in a school. For instance, montages elevate the rivalry scene. During this memorable scene, Elphaba and Glinda have a tense rivalry in school competing for affection of teachers. One recognizes musical montages capturing obstacles which fantastical witches are facing. Montages are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Damien Chazelle’s “La La Land” proved, montages are tricky techniques to use in movies. Nevertheless, it works very well in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Chu captures painful hardships that witches having frightening skin colours are commonly facing.

Another admirable aspect of “Wicked” that’s worth praising is production. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well-made. Chu has always had an aptitude for staging musical numbers in his movies, and “Wicked” demonstrated his strengths as a filmmaker. Chu expertly uses magical realism to stage memorable musical sequences honouring a classical musical. One area where the film improves on the 1939 original movie is the musical sequences. Chu stages memorable musical sequences through magical realism. For instance, magical realism enhances the Wizard and I scene. During this memorable scene, Elphaba expresses her dreams to be accepted in society by meeting the Wizard of Oz. One appreciates magical realism which captures the painful struggles green skinned witches are facing. Magical realism is often a tricky technique to employ in movies. As Paul King’s “Wonka” suggested, magical realism elevates musicals about chocolate factories. Nevertheless, it works tremendously in this movie. Moreover, the musical score is dazzling. Stephen Schwartz’s music is integral toward the success of the movie. It gives the movie a joyous atmosphere capturing the burden that witches bear. Through gorgeous production-design, Chu captures witches experiencing a decline.

Storytelling is one of the primary reasons why “Wicked” is a prequel which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses sequences of silence to capture the hardships green skinned switches are facing. Chu‘s finest strength as a screenwriter is his capabilities to capture hardship witches endure by silences. Throughout the movie, Chu successfully uses silences to craft a witch that audiences easily relate towards. For instance, silence elevates the dance scene. During this heartfelt scene, Elphaba feels humiliated when she is mocked after arriving in a flashy dress to a party. It’s a beautiful scene that evokes emotions for the Wicked witch giving her sympathy that was missing from the original 1939 movie. Silence is a tricky technique to use in musicals. Most musicals are driven by loud sounds. As Tom Hooper’s “Les Miserables” suggested, silence elevates musicals are French prisoners. That being said, it works tremendously in this film. Through a superb screenplay, Chu celebrates a legendary stage play about wicked witches facing a price to pay.

One appreciates amazing performances.

Cynthia Erivo delivers one of her finest career performances as Elphaba. Erivo first achieved appreciation for playing renowned historical figures seeking success in African-American history. With “Wicked”, however, she took on her most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray an iconic character in the fantasy genre, but Erivo succeeded immensely. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: charming, emotional and vulnerable in her most personal role. Despite being hidden beneath layers of green makeup, Erivo created a character that is compelling. With mesmerizing expressions, she captures the angst, determinations and trauma of a woman seeking social acceptance in a society. It’s a phenomenal performance by one of the most talented black actresses that’s working today.

Ariana Grande is astonishing as a good witch with charisma that seeks to overcome a tough life dilemma. Grande is a renowned musician which has always had an aptitude for singing, and “Wicked” showcased her main strengths as a performer. Whether she’s having a tense argument with Elphaba or seeking to gain the affections of teachers that mispronounce her name wrongfully, Grande uses her melodious voice to create a character that’s compelling. It’s a role that gave the actress the chance to showcase her aptitude for singing melodies. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the greatest musicians working in the industry today.

Finally, Jeff Goldblum merits appreciation. As the wonderful Wizard of Oz, the actor brings his iconic charisma to the movie.

Although “Wicked” is undeniably an engaging fantasy film, ultimately it isn’t flawless. If there is a drawback to the movie, it suffers from an extended length. At nearly two and a half hours, the film suffers from an extended running-time that overstays its welcome. Chu’s decisions to integrate subplots about animals into the movie is bold but doesn’t entirely succeed. Due to his faulty decision, scenes capturing the goat professor aren’t quite as entertaining as Elphaba’s tense journey to find her identity. Whereas this plot about professors enhanced the Harry Potter series, it feels out of place in this movie. The film may have been more entertaining had it not included the subplots. Therefore, “Wicked” can’t quite capture the beauty of a commemorated classical musical about legendary wizards which are great and powerful.

Nevertheless, fans of the original Wizard of Oz will definitely appreciate “Wicked” and so will movie-goers seeking magical entertainment. A captivating musical remake, it celebrated a legendary movie that’s iconic.

Nearly 90 years following the release of a groundbreaking piece of entertainment about women swept in tornadoes that are terrifying transported to awe-inspiring lands ruled by wicked witches are are frightening, it’s a riveting reminder of a classic movie that forever changed the world gaining a huge fan following for its larger-than-life characters which are compelling that built a lasting legacy which is definitely worth celebrating.

4.5/5 stars