Full Review
“Good Neeewwwss!” – Jon M. Chu has delivered a masterpiece. Perhaps the long wait was truly necessary to assemble the perfect cast and crew to bring this film to life. Despite all the pre-release worries about the visuals, I can confidently say the movie looked absolutely stunning in my screening.
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande deliver breathtaking performances with their live vocals at set. While many of the sets were practically built and undeniably impressive, there are moments where the CGI feels slightly overused. Additionally, a few of Shiz University’s finest students (including some main cast members) appear a bit older than their characters should, but if you can look past that, the story more than makes up for it.
At 2 hours and 40 minutes – longer than the entire stage musical – the film doesn’t feel drawn out in the slightest. The added material (no brand-new songs, though) blends seamlessly with the original material, creating an engaging and emotionally rich experience.
Cynthia Erivo shines as Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West. While this story focuses on her time at Shiz University, before she becomes “Wicked,” Cynthia portrays her depth and emotions beautifully. Her vocals, as expected, are flawless and deeply moving.
Ariana Grande brings Glinda (or Galinda, as she’s known early on) to life with charm and humor, capturing the essence of the character. Her scenes with Bowen Yang (Pfannee) and Bronwyn James (ShenShen) are some of the film’s funniest moments, adding levity and warmth to the story.
The chemistry between Ariana and Cynthia is electric, and their scenes together are guaranteed to bring tears to your eyes. The Ozdust Ballroom sequence, in particular, left almost no dry eyes in the audience – it’s a standout moment in an already spectacular film.
Waiting a whole year for the second installment will undoubtedly be tough; this film leaves such an impression that it will be hard not to think about it daily. If you haven’t already secured your tickets, do it now – this is a movie you don’t want to miss!
Synopsis
One of the most beloved and enduring musicals on the stage, Wicked makes its journey to the big screen as a spectacular cinematic event this holiday season.
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights), Wicked is the first chapter of a two-part immersive, cultural celebration. Wicked Part Two is scheduled to arrive in theaters on November 21, 2025.
Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony winning and Oscar®-nominated powerhouse Cynthia Erivo (Harriet, Broadway’s The Color Purple) as Elphaba, a young woman misunderstood because of her green skin who has yet to discover her true power, and Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and global superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda, a popular young woman gilded by privilege who has yet to discover her true heart.
The two meet as students at Shiz University in the fantastical Land of Oz and forge an unlikely but profound friendship. Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
(Synopsis by Universal Pictures)
Universal Pictures holds all rights to the images.
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