Before the Wizard, before the Yellow Brick Road, there was a world of magic, mystery, and misunderstood witches.
Wicked the movie transports us to the enchanting realm of OZ, a place where good and evil intertwine, and the true story of the Witches of Oz unfolds.
Based on the beloved Broadway musical, that has made it’s way to Melbourne many times already, Wicked the movie delves deeper into the origins of the iconic characters from The Wizard of Oz.
It explores the complex relationship between Glinda and Elphaba (aka the wicked witch of the West), two young women on opposite sides of a magical divide who embark on their magical studies at school.
As they navigate love, loss, and the power of friendship, they challenge the traditional notions of good and evil and that no one is born wicked.
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo deliver breathtaking performances as Glinda and Elphaba, their voices soaring and their chemistry electrifying.
The great casting doesn’t end there though with the always excellent Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Yeoh both playing important roles.
We also particularly liked Saturday Night Live’s Bowen Yang playing the perfect snarky Mean Girls groupie to Glinda, and we hope his character makes it into the second film.
This is a visual masterpiece from stunning production design, elaborate sets, outrageous costumes & makeup to imaginative special effects.
Choosing to build physical sets for many of the major set-piece locations of the film was a genius move as it allows the fantasy world to feel a little more grounded than a 100% digital backdrop.
Every detail, from the grand Emerald City to the dark forest, is meticulously crafted. OZ is dripping in detail, the forests are truly alive with colour, the fields are all blooming with flowers and the oceans and skies glitter. It would take a few screenings to try and catch everything, and we’re sure there are plenty of easter eggs to discover.
This is a film that will captivate audiences both familiar with the stage musical, and those who are fresh to the franchise. Having had seen the musical before, it was great to see that the film kept close to the source material while elaborating just enough to make this work for screen.
Wicked is a stunning cinematic experience that captures the magic of the stage and brings it to life on the big screen. We can’t wait to see part two!
– The Plus Ones
