As I sat in Biology, the last period of the day, the clock ticked away at a painfully slow pace. Each second stretched out like an eternity. The countdown to 3:11 felt like time was swirling backward, as if the universe itself was conspiring to delay my arrival at the movie theatre for Wicked.
When the bell rang, I bolted from my desk in my dark green sweatsuit, flying out of school like I was a witch on a broomstick. I sprinted to my mom’s car, adrenaline surging, and kept on repeating, “How much longer till we’re there!” As we slowly pulled into the Closter Plaza parking lot, I was ready to step into the Land of Oz itself.
The moment I hurried inside, I was greeted by Wicked merchandise everywhere and couldn’t resist grabbing a green shimmering Elphaba cup and buttery popcorn on the side. As a die-hard fan of the original musical, here are my thoughts on this incredible film adaptation—an experience that truly felt like going to see the Wizard himself.
As soon as I found out that the worldwide famous Broadway show Wicked was being adapted into a film, I was absolutely thrilled. With John M. Chu as the director, my excitement grew even more. I had high expectations from seeing his other films like Crazy Rich Asians and couldn’t wait to see how he would bring Wicked to life. The moment I sank into the soft theatre seats and reclined my chair back, I was locked into the world of Oz. It’s rare to find a musical-to-film adaptation that not only lives up to the original but elevates it to a whole new level. The movie definitely accomplishes this and more, creating an experience that feels as magical as stepping into a theater on Broadway. From the very beginning, with the nostalgic Universal intro and the incorporation of The Wizard Of Oz font to be used as the Wicked font already felt like my childhood was getting unlocked again. The film immerses you in a world where every detail has been meticulously crafted.
The most breathtaking aspect of the movie is its masterpiece of a set making it the most impressive design I’ve ever seen on the big screen. The filmmakers’ commitment to practical sets over CGI elevates the film, with the Munchkinland scene featuring an insane number of nine million real tulips planted across 6.8 acres in Norfolk, England, creating a vibrant backdrop that no computer-generated imagery could match. Adding to this wonder is the 106-foot-long functioning tonne train used to take Elphaba and Glinda to the magical world of the Emerald City, which is obviously incredible. As Chu stated, “I want to do it the way I dreamed about it as a kid when I watched Hook,” and he certainly achieved that vision. The Emerald City set, inspired by Chicago’s neoclassical White City from the 1893 World’s Fair, immerses viewers in an amazing landscape. With a reported budget of $150 million and a twenty-week construction period, every penny is visible on screen and truly brought Oz to life.
The unparalleled vocal performances in Wicked truly set it apart, with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo making the bold choice to sing live rather than pre-record their tracks, infusing each scene with raw emotion and authentic sounds and textures that took place in the room while they filmed. Erivo’s take on “Defying Gravity” gave me literal chills. THE BEST VERSION YET. What made this even better was finding what went into this extraordinary scene. She decided to make this scene memorable by performing her own stunts while delivering flawless vocals. If that isn’t impressive, I don’t know what is: it left me absolutely speechless.
What I loved about this movie is that each musical number had its unique flair, with Grande swinging from a chandelier in “Popular” and doing the iconic book dance in “What is This Feeling,” creating lively visuals that stuck with me. However, “Dancing Through Life” left the biggest impression, making it the best song for sure. This scene featured incredible choreography and the mesmerizing rotating bookshelf. Jonathan Bailey has OUTDONE himself. As a fan of his, I have never seen him sing, but he shocked me. His voice was incredible, as was his impressive dancing and footwork, especially when he opened the books on the table with his feet. He acknowledged the challenges of the choreography, particularly with the complex “tornado” set piece, which earned high praise for its difficulty. The choreography combined with Bailey’s natural talent, elevated this number to standout moments in the film. Choreographer Christopher Scott, thank you very much, you have outdone yourself.
Erivo and Grande truly embodied their roles as Elphaba and Glinda bring a level of authenticity and passion. Watching them fulfill these roles felt like I was watching Glinda and Elphaba, not Grande and Erivo. These were roles they seemed born to play, filling the enormous shoes left by Broadway legends Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth with exceptional talent. Erivo’s commitment to the character was evident in her choice to be physically painted green rather than relying on CGI, allowing her to fully immerse herself in Elphaba’s skin and feel her emotions. This dedication and live performances on set gave the film major power.
While Erivo and Grande delivered captivating performances, Jeff Goldblum, who portrayed the Wizard, and Michelle Yeoh, who portrayed Madame Morrible felt underwhelming. Their performances came across to me as boring and stiff, lacking the passion and effort that the roles demanded. Yeoh, in particular, struggled with singing: she admitted to being “terrified” on her first day of singing on set and did not project the vocal strength needed for her character. As Grande and Erivo were a perfect fit for these roles, I think that made the cast lack for this reason and took away their attention. Despite their star power, Goldblum and Yeoh seemed unable to fully engage with their characters, leaving a noticeable gap.
The adaptation of the show provided me with a deeper understanding of the story’s central themes and characters even more. The movie definitely allowed for a clearer depiction of Glinda’s moral descent as she prioritized popularity and acceptance over standing for what’s right. This was shown when Elphaba discovered the Wizard’s truth and his plan for her to turn the guard monkeys into spies by adding wings to them used by the Grimmerie. While Elphaba reacted with outrage, Glinda insisted on Elphaba listening to the Wizard. The film’s expanded runtime emphasized Glinda’s transformation into an unwitting antagonist, as she remained silent and compliant when Madame Morrible used the loudspeakers to brand Elphaba as evil. The difference between Glinda and Elphaba was clearly seen revealing Glinda was truly the evil one.
While Wicked: Part 1 clocks in at an impressive two hours and forty minutes, surpassing even the entire Broadway show’s runtime, the extended time serves the story well. The additional time allows for a deeper exploration of Elphaba’s backstory, providing context for her passionate advocacy for the animals of Oz. This expanded version gave the audience a chance to fully invest in the friendship between Glinda and Elphaba, making their bond feel more authentic and developed than in a faster-paced staged production like the Broadway show. The film’s pacing, despite its length, keeps the audience engaged, evoking strong emotional responses throughout. I found myself moved to tears four different times: at the beginning, during Dr. Dillamond’s heart-wrenching removal by the guards, at the touching Ozdust Ballroom scene where Glinda dances with Elphaba and others join, and during the powerful conclusion of “Defying Gravity” of course.
As I look forward to Wicked: Part 2, I am filled with excitement for all that lies ahead. With so many beloved songs yet to be heard and new ones being brought to life, the anticipation is thrilling. The transformations of iconic characters, such as the Tin Man, Scarecrow, Lion, and especially the arrival of Dorothy, promise to add even more excitement to the film, and I know Chu has achieved this excellently. The journey through Oz is far from over, and you can be sure you’ll catch me in the theater on November 21, 2025, ready to experience the next chapter!
