Wicked [Movie Review]

Wicked [Movie Review] | Yeay! I finally have the time to watch Wicked. I went and bought myself the earliest tix to watch it. 

Was it wickedly beautiful or wickedly boring?

SYNOPSIS

Wicked (2024) Trivia

• Starring: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande-Butera, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh & Jeff Goldblum

• Director: Jon M. Chu
• Producer: Marc Platt & David Stone
• Production Company: Universal Pictures & Marc Platt Productions

• Distributed by: Universal Pictures

• Release date: November 22, 2024

• Running time: 160 minutes

• Rating: Mature Adult

• Country: United States

• Language: English

• IMDb: 8.1 / 10
• Tomatometer: 89%
• Metascore: 73%
• Titled onscreen as Wicked Part I.
• The first non-Disney musical to earn over $100 million in its U.S. opening weekend.
• Director Jon M. Chu aimed to make Oz feel real, blending practical sets with CGI instead of relying on green screens. For Munchkinland, they even planted 9 million tulips to create a vivid, authentic landscape.
• The lead actors insisted on singing live during filming. Cynthia Erivo sings the song "Defying Gravity" live in the movie.
• Lady Gaga, Jessie J and Lea Michele were considered for the role of Elphaba.
• Ariana Grande wanted Bowen Yang as Pfanee so much that she called Lorne Michaels to persuade him. They worked out a schedule where Yang flew in and out of the country weekly during the SNL season. And traditionally, Pfanee is played by a woman. 
• Marissa Bode, who plays Nessarose, is the first disabled actor to take on the role in Wicked's history.

The news of the death of the Wicked Witch of the West travels fast and people in the Land of Oz, Munchkinland rejoice. Glinda the Good descends and confirms the news. As she was about to take her leave, she was asked if she truly was the friend of the witch. Glinda reflects on their shared past and recounts the Witch's story: Elphaba, was born with green skin due to her mother’s affair. Henceforth, she faced rejection and a troubled childhood.  

Elphaba arrives at Shiz University with her sister Nessarose, who uses a wheelchair. Their father wants Elphaba to watch over Nessa, to which she reluctantly agrees. 

At the welcoming ceremony, Elphaba encounters Galinda, who considers herself the best above the rest. While Elphaba clashes with Galinda, she unknowingly reveals magical talents, prompting Dean Morrible to offer her private tutoring. Elphaba dreams of meeting the Wizard, hoping he can change her skin color. 

Meanwhile, Nessa befriends Boq, a munchkin with a crush on Galinda, while Elphaba meets rebellious prince Fiyero and hears from Dr. Dillamond, a talking goat professor, about animals losing their rights and ability to speak.

At a dance hosted by Fiyero, Galinda mocks Elphaba but later befriends her out of guilt. She gives her a makeover and adopts the name "Glinda" after a mispronunciation by Dillamond. However, Dillamond is fired for being an animal, replaced by Professor Nikidik, who attempts to experiment on a lion cub. Elphaba and Fiyero rescue the cub, and she secretly pines for him, though he seems drawn to Glinda.

Elphaba is summoned to meet the Wizard, and Glinda joins her. In the Emerald City, they strengthen their friendship while sightseeing. The Wizard charms Elphaba but is revealed as a fraud after using her to unlock the Grimmerie's powers, harming animals in the process. Elphaba, horrified, escapes on a levitating broom, vowing to fight his cruelty. Quickly, Dean Morrible announces to the whole land that Elphaba is a dangerous villain.

What will happen to Elphaba and Glinda?

MY REVIEW

What I Like:  

• Beautiful CGI.
• Great and powerful cast.
• I love a movie with a misunderstood background - just like Maleficent. 

What I Don't Like:

• When will Part 2 airs? I hate being cliffhanged like this. 

Will I Watch It Again: Yes, I would with my kids.

Overall: 4.4/ 5.0

The pictures are taken from multiple sources on the Internet. Thank you.

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