In a whimsical flurry of picturesque backdrops, stunning vocals and witty renditions of classic Ozian characters, the “Wicked” film pays a flawless tribute to its original Broadway predecessor.
The movie, the first of a two-part series, showcases director Jon Chu’s cinematography, which preserves key elements of the musical, including its iconic songs and main characters Glinda (Ariana Grande) and Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo).
Elphaba, more well-known as the “Wicked Witch of the West” in the classic story “The Wizard of Oz” and Glinda, also known as the “Good Witch of the South,” initially clash during their time at Shiz University. However, their relationship grows complex as the story unfolds. With nearly three hours dedicated to act one of the original Broadway musical, the movie allows for more intricate development of the characters and plot, resulting in deeper, more believable character arcs.
The most notable aspect of the movie is arguably the breathtaking vocals. While remaining true to the original soundtrack, the movie allows Erivo and Grande to add their personal charm to the music, creating subtle stylistic discrepancies. Grande’s perky yet refreshing vocals suit Glinda’s more lighthearted songs, such as “Popular,” while Erivo’s powerful voice packs a flesh-raising performance to Elphaba’s emotional numbers, like “Defying Gravity.”
Aside from their vocal performance, Grande and Erivo captured the essence of their respective characters almost perfectly. Erivo’s down-to-earth nature shines through her rendition of Elphaba, showing just the right amount of sass and sarcasm. However, Grande’s ditzy representation of Glinda contributes vastly to the quality of the film—her spacey mannerisms and remarks create a natural and subtle humorous effect at just the right times.
Beyond the performance, the aesthetics of the film were nothing short of jaw-droppingly scenic, with beautiful designs, pastel color schemes and iconic costumes that brought the realm of Oz to reality. The film features a variety of impressive handmade sets, with Shiz University and the Emerald Palace standing out as the most notable.
Shiz University exudes a serene, paradise-like atmosphere to its architecture, blending Moorish influences, evident in its geometric tilework and horseshoe arches, and Italianate influences. In contrast, the Emerald Palace has a pristine, majestic quality, drawing inspiration from multiple famous American architects, such as Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright. Most strikingly, the set’s green-and-gold scheme reflects a sense of luxurious beauty.
Though the Shiz University uniforms and Elphaba’s black outfits were well-coordinated, Glinda’s pink ensembles truly stand out throughout the film, creating a striking contrast against Elphaba’s green complexion. As Glinda said in the film, “pink goes good with green.”
The “Wicked” film truly did live up to its iconic Broadway predecessor in every way possible, leaving audiences with a good laugh and awe-struck goosebumps.
To take an immersive journey into the realm of Oz, watch “Wicked” in theaters near you.