Review: Wicked is both a sumptuous and somewhat soulless film adaptation of the beloved musical | Canada Voices

• Wicked
• Directed by: Jon M. Chu
• Written by: Winnie Holzman, Dana Fox (based on the novel by Gregory Maguire)
• Starring: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum
• Classification: PG; 160 minutes

Twenty-one years after the stage premiere of Wicked, the musical based on the 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire, which in turn was based on L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its 1939 film adaptation, the movie version of the beloved show is upon us. Fans of the musical will adore the cinematic spectacle. The rest will get a relentlessly faithful reprise of the Broadway hit, with even more background story woven in. After all, Part One (yes, you read it correctly; the concluding sequel is scheduled to arrive at a screen near you in November, 2025) is almost as long as the entire musical.

Oddly enough, the movie is both sumptuous and somewhat soulless. Jon M. Chu’s vision of the Land of Oz is like a cross between Hogwarts and Barbieland. The sets are lavish, the costuming is detailed and musical numbers are grand in scale. However, for a director known for works such as the Step Up sequels, Crazy Rich Asians and Into The Heights, we don’t really get swept away with his Wicked world-building. Fortunately, for a show known for its power anthem style tunes, there are actors who truly have the pipes to deliver them – even if their acting is sometimes one-note. But that’s the challenge of large ensemble productions.

Just like the musical, the movie begins with the death of the Wicked Witch of the West. As Ozians gather in glee, Glinda (Ariana Grande) floats in her pink bubble to address the crowd with her soothing and self-absorbed observations, and to confirm the news. Just as Glinda is leaving, a young woman from the crowd asks about rumours of Glinda’s friendship with the witch. “Are people born wicked? Or do they have wickedness thrust upon them,” Glinda wonders, as she confirms their paths crossing – at school.

There follows a story told in flashback, when Glinda the Good was Galinda Upland, an insufferably popular young woman who arrives with a boat-full of pink baggage to Shiz University. That’s where she meets Elphaba Thropp (Cynthia Erivo), a young woman who grew up being rejected by her own father and society at large because she was born green. Elphaba is at Shiz to see off her younger sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode), who uses a wheelchair. However, sorcery professor Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) sees potential in Elphaba and assigns her to be roommates with Galinda.

Galinda and Elphaba do not get along at first. The arrival of Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) and events leading up to a party change that dynamic. The roommates become good friends, with Fiyero rounding out the trio. After a series of events, Elphaba receives an invitation from the Wizard of Oz to visit. When boarding the train, she pulls Galinda in along for the ride. However, the meeting with the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) doesn’t go as Elphaba had planned. Just as we come to understand how Galinda came to be Glinda, we see Elphaba being given the mantle of the Wicked Witch of the West because “the best way to bring folks together is to give ‘em a real enemy.” Part One ends with a stirring rendition of Defying Gravity, showcasing both Erivo’s and Grande’s vocal chops.

Without a doubt, Grande and Erivo are the stars that carry Wicked. Grande channels all of the well-meaning Mean Girls energy we’ve seen previously in her Nickelodeon avatars. From her penchant for melismas to hair flips, Grande has fun playing Glinda. It’s too bad that Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James get sidelined as sidekicks Pfannee and ShenShen without tapping into the true potential of their madcap comic abilities.

It’s not easy being green but it’s even more of a challenge being Elphaba in an ensemble. There aren’t many chances for Erivo to dive into her character, when she’s constantly in opposition to others. But there are moments, such as when she states, “I don’t cause commotions. I am one.” You grin along as you watch Galinda and Elphaba go from frenemies to besties.

Wicked isn’t really the vehicle to ponder deeper existential questions about the true nature of evil. Or how some of its messaging may be relevant in today’s era of misinformation and propaganda. It does, however, hit more than a few sweet spots for fellow misfits who see themselves in either Glinda or Elphaba. Audience members I was sitting with at an advance screening palpably restrained themselves from reacting too visibly to the movie; although there was a collective gasp of appreciation for a certain cameo appearance.

Sing-along screenings are sure to come along soon, especially during the festive season. That should be, well, popular.

In the interest of consistency across all critics’ reviews, The Globe has eliminated its star-rating system in film and theatre to align with coverage of music, books, visual arts and dance. Instead, works of excellence will be noted with a critic’s pick designation across all coverage. (Television reviews, typically based on an incomplete season, are exempt.)