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| Images courtesy of Universal Pictures |
Wicked is the cinematic version of the Tony award winning musical that was in turn based off the bestselling novel of the same name by Gregory Maguire. It's not often that I get to write a review about a film that I feel this strongly about. I'm a not so closeted musical fanatic and to say that for the last decade or so I've been sorely disappointed in the genre is a bit of an understatement, there have been noble attempts but they have mostly fallen flat. Wicked was my hope that maybe the cinematic musical was alive and well. My wish was granted. You will be taken away to the land of Oz and sorely disappointed when it's time to go.
Now lets make one thing clear that he advertising is not making at all apparent, this is part one, there will be another in November of next year. Wicked manages to take an already amazing beloved musical and make it bigger, make it more, give it a world you want to live in. Jon M. Chu understood the assignment, knew that he had an opportunity to bring subtlety to an over the top production to give a closeness to raw emotional scenes granting them intimacy lacking in stage productions. Jon opens up the world established on stage into a soaring magical world full of vibrant color and grand landscapes.
Let’s get to the cast, oh my the cast. Cynthia Erivo takes what was already a legendary part made famous by Idina Menzel and truly embraces it, making it her own. Her voice dazzles and her acting is genuine and easy to relate to and embrace. Ariana Grande had an even more difficult part to tackle taking on the part of G(a)linda, made famous by Kristin Chenowith, with the insanely difficult task of being both comedy relief while having a character arc for the ages. Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible is a surprising casting that works very well giving the character instant gravitas. Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard is delicious, making for a fun turn for the beloved actor. Amazing performances from Peter Dinklage, Jonathan Baily, Marissa Bode and Ethan Slater round out a main cast worth every moment of screentime.
If you know the stage production not much is going to be a huge surprise, a few moments withstanding. You're going to get exactly the story you know, honestly, that's all it needs to be. There is a reason Wicked won so many awards, because it's practically perfect as it is. The songs are modified a bit for the performers to really take advantage of what the performers bring to the parts. The dance numbers are the stage play to the next level, adding so many dimensions highlighted by beautiful cinematography.
The special effects are a particular highlight, I was concerned going in that the effects on the world and the animal characters could look cheesy or that they would look like what they are, digital characters. I'm happy to report, they don't. The level of detail in the digital characters is unreal, eyes dilating in the lights, realistic movements give a life to them I was not expecting.
If you've never seen the musical or read the book, I for one can't wait to find out what you think. Bring your family, fall in love with Oz all over again, you're in for a treat. If you don't like musicals, I know this bit will be shocking but, you probably won't like it, because it is a musical through and through. Get ready to have these songs stuck in your head for possibly the rest of your life, I can almost promise that you won't mind in the least.
Get out there, go see this, musicals are back and they are as magical as they ever were. Wicked offers so much for the viewer, deep emotion, great music and fun. Wicked is calling your name, go to Oz and be swept away, give it a try, maybe you to will defy gravity.
Trevor West