Movie poster via Universal Studios
By Keith Walther | Rose Law Group Reporter
In 1939, “The Wizard of Oz” became one of the most influential and iconic films in cinema history, showcasing the power of imagination in film. “Wicked: Part I” returns audiences to the magical and colorful land of Oz with magnificently massive song and dance numbers that light up the screen. Based on the Broadway musical of the same name, the movie is brought to life by the dynamic performances and on-screen chemistry of its two stars.
After the Wicked Witch of the West is melted by a bucket of water, celebrations spill into the streets throughout Oz, and Glinda (Ariana Grande-Butera) reminisces about a time before when she first met Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo). It was at Shiz University that their paths first crossed, and their relationship immediately became a contentious one. Glinda was the popular girl at school, while Elphaba was the outcast, spurned and ridiculed because of her green skin with which she was born.
Despite her egocentric, self-serving attitude, Glinda is inherently good, and when she sees the hurt Elphaba is being put through, she mends fences and the two develop a tight friendship. Elphaba’s uniquely natural magical ability catches the attention of Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), who takes her under her wing to personally teach her. When presented with the opportunity of a lifetime to visit The Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum), Elphaba excitedly grabs it, taking her best friend along for the ride. Not all is as it seems though, and their inseparable friendship is threatened by ulterior motives.
This is an ambitious project for any director, with built-in expectations from the plentiful fans of the Broadway musical. Jon M. Chu proves to be up for the challenge, meeting and in some cases exceeding those lofty expectations. Chu quickly understood that in order to fully honor the stage production, he needed to film this in two parts to avoid damaging cuts from the immersive story. What many directors fail to do in these types of situations is conclude the first film with enough resolution to satisfy viewers while still creating enough anticipation for them to return for the second film, but that’s exactly what Chu accomplishes. He carefully balances that fine line, making audiences walk away with that sense of closure while still yearning for more.
While the musical numbers are big, ambitious, and stunning to watch, they still don’t match the memorability and impact of the 1939 production. Still, they are all awe inspiring and entertaining with a quirky amusement to them that leaves the audience with a wide smile on their face. Chu smartly mixes fun, comical exchanges with heartfelt, emotional drama to keep the pacing of the film steady and moving forward. However, the film does run a bit too long with missed opportunities to cut unnecessary scenes like the romantic subplot that completely dies on the vine and never impacts the main storyline.
Another wise decision Chu makes is building elaborate physical sets, only using CGI as a supplemental tool rather than filming its entirety with a green screen. This allows for a more authentic viewing experience, turning this fantastical world into a tangible one. He successfully recaptures the feel of Oz from the original film, exploring the vibrant range of the color palette and incorporating creative costumes. The director of “Crazy Rich Asians” and “In the Heights” has outdone himself in every way and will likely see his latest film honored with a number of Oscar nominations, including Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Music, Best Production Design, and of course Best Picture.
Let’s not forget about the acting of the two stars, which elevated this film to a new level. A lot has been said about Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande-Butera playing these prominent roles, and not all of it good, but these two performers put on a show that make the movie all the more worthwhile. Ariana has never been known for her acting ability, flourishing in a career as a singer, but she shuts up the naysayers with a wonderfully enchanting performance. Her egotistical quips are delightfully funny and well-timed, and of course her vocal talents are on full display. However, the real treat is watching Cynthia Erivo, whose commanding on-screen presence and dazzling vocal range mesmerize viewers. Never mind her offscreen overly dramatic reaction to a fan made poster. It is her emotionally dramatic on-screen portrayal that really steals the show, putting her in line for a Best Actress Oscar nomination.
It’s not very often that a big budget production lives up to its hype, but “Wicked” most certainly does. This is a film worth seeing on the biggest screen possible so let yourself get whisked back to Oz, regardless of how old you may be, and allow your childlike imagination to be unlocked one more time. “Wicked: Part Two” should release around the same time next year. And for those of you who are diehard fans of the musical and know all the words to the songs, there will be a sing-along version of the film being released in theaters next month.
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