Film Review: ‘Wicked’ is a Bloated Yet Somewhat Catchy First Part of the Broadway Musical

The Wizard of Oz was one of my mother’s favorite films of all-time. I tell you that mainly so that you know just how ubiquitous that movie was during my childhood. So, while never having seen the Broadway production of Wicked, I’m certainly aware of the material. As such, I approached the big screen adaptation certainly hoping for something that would not just be great, but would also remind me of my mom. While the flick never gets anywhere close to those heights and is weighed down by some major bloat (this is a Part One, after all), the high points, as well as the two central performances, are good enough to warrant a mild recommendation.

Wicked is…fine. The big songs are catchy and the leads make it work, though at over two and a half hours to tell only half the story, so much stretching out is done. Considering what actually happens over the course of the film, there’s no reason this couldn’t have either been at least a half hour shorter or simply one long production. On stage, the entire tale, with an intermission, is done in nearly this time. Even factoring in adding elements from the book, double the length is just a miscalculation. It runs the risk of alienating all but the hardcore fans, and while they’re bound to be delighted, that’s not how you make a successful feature film (or two).

A prequel (as well as a bit of a reimagining) to The Wizard of Oz, we begin with Glinda (Ariana Grande) announcing that the Wicked Witch is dead. When asked about their past, she flashes back to their days at Shiz University. There, the popular Glinda meets Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), a young woman hated and misunderstood, even by her own Governor father, because of her green skin. Initially there just to help her sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode), a display of magic during a confrontation with some students leads Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) to have her enroll as well. She’s to study under her tutelage, which Glinda desperately desires, putting them in conflict immediately.

Forced to room together, Elphaba and Glinda clash, though a friendship does grow. While they both have eyes for another new student in Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), Elphaba becomes invested in the plight of the talking animals in Oz. Dr. Dillamond (voice of Peter Dinklage) is the only animal professor remaining, facing prejudice in the process. When he’s removed, she’s invested enough to bring this issue to the Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum). There, she learns more about why she’s so special, as well puts her growing friendship with Glinda at odds.

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande both turn in charming performances. Both characters are a bit thin on the page, but the actresses use force of personality to overcome that. Erivo generates your emotions as she goes on her journey, while Grande is very funny. Both are having a great time and to one degree or another, it rubs off on the audience. The roles lack depth, but that’s more on the script than either of them. Their chemistry is solid, both when they’re enemies and friends. Jeff Goldblum is having a blast here, though he doesn’t get much to do. Jonathan Bailey and Ethan Slater (as Boq, who is set up with Nessarose while pining for Glinda) are fine in roles that mostly distract from the parts of the film you’re more interested in, while Marissa Bode seems to be saving up her best bits for the second installment. The likes of Peter Dinklage and Michelle Yeoh are mostly wasted, though they do lend some gravitas. Supporting players here include Bronwyn James and Bowen Yang, as well as a few cameos you might expect but I won’t spoil the surprise of.

Director Jon M. Chu goes bigger than he ever has before here, and while it does feel as personal as In the Heights had the potential to, he certainly goes all-in on the spectacle. Now, the CGI isn’t amazing and actually is distracting, while there’s not much in the way of eye catching visuals from cinematographer Alice Brooks, but the central musical numbers do really work, tied in with some fun choreography. They’re essential, since so much else visually doesn’t suck you in. Chu was the right man for the job, even if this really should be one epic film, as opposed to two, with this one feeling low on plot despite a 160 minute running time. The screenplay by Dana Fox and Winnie Holzman is more of an issue, as they never find a way to justify the split. So little actually happens in terms of the story, despite the conclusion of this movie being the best sequence, you’re not especially driven to find out what happens next in Wicked Part Two. Ironically, the animal rights aspect, while not given enough attention, is the most consistently successful element of the flick.

Wicked didn’t blow me away like it did for many, but I’m also not outright dismissing it as a failure like a few are. Am I smack dab in the middle? Maybe not, but consider a mild recommendation still a win. Am I excited for Wicked Part Two? Not especially. Will I still see it? Probably, if only out of professional obligation. That being said, I definitely want to see Wicked on Broadway now, so there’s that at least. Your mileage may vary, but for me, this was simply acceptable as opposed to spectacular. I’m giving it three stars in part due to assuming that Part Two will help raise it up. If not, it’ll get knocked down a half star. For now, it exists as entertainment for audiences of all ages. I wasn’t as entertained as most, but given how bad a failed version of this could have been, it makes it across the finish line.

SCORE: ★★★