#REVIEW: “WICKED PART I”

Review by Mr. Will Wong

Truly a landmark moment!  Director Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians) had the monumental task of bringing iconic musical Wicked to the big screen and is it ever a triumph! Full disclosure, I have never seen the stage production, so I came into the Film completely blind. And it didn’t even matter one bit.

This Wicked Witch of the West origins story centers around Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), a social outcast who likewise is rejected by her own family because of her green skin. She learns early on that she has magical powers, but is not able to harness them. Though an education at prestigious sorcery academy Shiz was reserved for her disabled younger sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode), she catches the eye of Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), who takes her under her wings as mentors here, seeing her potentially as the chosen one to visit The great Wizard (Jeff Goldblum). This doesn’t sit well with her popular and self-absorbed roommate Glinda (Ariana Grande), who desperately has been vying also for Madame Morrible’s attention. Elphaba and Glinda strike an unlikely friendship despite being for completely different worlds, and might even fall for the same guy, the handsome and charming Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey). With pure intentions, Elphaba sets out to change the world and along the way, finds her true voice when she is pushed to take a stand for what is right.

Through spectacular song, choreography, set design, costume, visual effects and of course, phenomenal acting, WICKED proves to have been well worth the wait. And this is only the first of two parts, in case you didn’t know. Even if you’ve never heard of or seen the original production, this Film is designed to enhance further the experience to stratospheric heights. No pre-requisite knowledge or viewing is required as the backstory and characters are crafted with detail here.

Erivo lands the role that will make her a household name, taking us through a humanizing journey of growth and self-discovery. The heart of the story truly is the heartfelt friendship between her and Grande’s Glinda, full of both affecting and comedic moments. Global superstar Ariana Grande is perfect and charming in this, also her breakthrough as a bona fide movie star!  Bailey also is a delight, ceasing each moment and just nailing “Dancing Through Life“.

We absolutely cannot wait for the second installment coming next Fall!  This is everything we could have asked for.

Universal Pictures Canada release WICKED PART I Friday, November 22, 2024.