Written by Winnie Holzman And Dana Fox
Directed by John M. Chu
Glinda: "Don't be afraid."
Elphaba: "I'm not afraid. It's the Wizard who should be afraid of me."
With only five and a bit weeks left for 2024, do we have the movie of the year with the first part of Wicked? Now that would be falling into hyperbole but maybe this will be the best movie of the year. I just loved this one so much that I'm eagerly anticipating the second part already.
For those of you who've never read the book or seen any stage production in the last twenty years, this movie basically gives a lot of context between the unlikely friendship/rivalry between Elphaba Thropp (Cynthia Erivo) and Galinda Upland (Ariana Grande-Butera). Their whole relationship drove this first part throughout.
The movie started with the aftermath of the Wicked Witch of the West's death and the now named Glinda admitting to the citizens of Munchkinland that they were once friends. Then the movie would go on to depict that friendship between the unlikely pair.
We cut to Elphaba being an outcast in her own family to the point where her own father despised her but loved younger sister, Nessarose (Marisa Bode). The latter was also attending Shiz university with Elphaba being forced to chaperone her younger sister before coming into contact with Galinda and impressing Dean of Sorcery, Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh).
The rivalry between the popular Galinda and the outcast Elphaba propelled the first half of the movie. Both took a delight in undermining the other but once, the handsome and rebellious Prince Fiyero Tigelaar (Jonathan Bailey) entered the fray, things certainly took a turn for the better between Elphaba and Galinda.
We actually got to see the two of them form a bond with each other as well as their individual ones with Fiyero. The latter in particular had a connection to Elphaba that he didn't quite have with Galinda. When the last animal teacher in the university, Dr Dillamond (Peter Dinklage), Fiyero stepped up in a way that impressed Elphaba. Fiyero doesn't appear as much as I hoped but every scene he's in was a joy to watch.
As for the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) himself. This wasn't a kind depiction of an already dubious at best character from the original source material. He's a selfish man who manipulated Elphaba for his own selfish ends to seize control over Oz along with Morrible. There's a beautiful moment towards the end of this first part that highlighted the complexity of Elphaba and Galinda's relationship before the former took control of her own destiny. At no point in this movie was I not on Elphaba's side.
- The opening sequence actually shows Dorothy Gale with the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion. The former as a cub is also set free by Elphaba and Fiyero.
- Ethan Slater does a good job as smitten munchkin, Boq. His side romance with Nessarose was actually quite sweet.
- We didn't get ruby slippers but we didn't get silver shoes either. Nessarose's footwear choice were more jewelled.
- Even I cheered when Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenowith popped up during one particular scene.
- Standout music: It's the obvious choices but for good reason. Defying Gravity, What Is This Feeling, Popular, Dancing Through Life, The Wizard And I and No One Mourns The Wicked.
- Chronology: Depicting the younger years of both characters with the opening scene being after the events of The Wizard Of Oz of course. Wicked: Part II releases on November 21st 2025.
I absolutely adored Wicked: Part I. I know there's a month to go but I think this will be my favourite film of 2024. As someone who wasn't initially sure about Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande-Butera, I am more than happy to admit to beinging wrong here. They are absolutely incredible as Elphaba and Galinda and Jonathan Bailey just lit up the screen as Fiyero. An absolute triumph.
Rating: 9 out of 10
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