Wicked ★★★★

Released: 22 November 2024

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh

Behind every great movie is a great villain. The yin to the hero’s yang. They are the person everyone hates and fears, and their defeat brings that sense of joy, a job well done. However, some of cinema’s greatest villains are getting the cinematic treatment that they are not bad – just misunderstood. In her own origin story, Sleeping Beauty villainess Maleficent becomes a maternal figure to the Princess Aurora while Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker is painted as someone who is trying to fight against the system. Now, courtesy of Crazy Rich Asians director Jon M Chu, one of cinema’s most prolific villainesses is getting their own origin film – The Wicked Witch of the West.

An adaptation of the eponymous musical, based on the book by L Frank Baum, Wicked follows the complicated friendship between Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Galinda (Arianna Grande) upon meeting at Shiz University, before they became The Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good, respectively.

After his directorial efforts in Jem and the Holograms and In the Heights, Jon M Chu is establishing himself as the master of the modern musical. The choice to split the production into two parts is questionable, especially as the 2h 40m runtime of part one is the same length as the stage version. However, this allows the story to mature and further incorporate supporting characters such as Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) and Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) into the protagonists’ backstory, elevating this fairy tale past the witches’ supposed rivalry and the adventures involving Dorothy Gale and her little dog Toto. 

With her green skin and dark clothing, Elphaba quickly finds herself isolated from everyone, including her own family. Her dad detests her because she looks different while beautiful disabled sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode) keeps her at arm’s length in the guise of seeking own independence. Elphaba also exudes a degree of modesty about her emotionally driven powers – she recognises their strength but, like her skin, sees them as a curse, to the point that she doesn’t even consider herself as special. Yet despite the disgust and pity of fellow classmates, she holds her head high with a quiet defiance that highlights her confidence and compassion – especially when growing discrimination against talking animals in Oz inspires Elphaba to fight back.

In contrast, Galinda (the ‘ar’ is silent) is the Barbie of Shiz University with her sweetness, daintiness and excessively pink wardrobe quickly making her the darling of the school. Behind her smiles, she feeds off the adoration of others for her own vanity – a feat easily achieved when she captures the eyes of munchkin Boq (Ethan Slater) and the dashing yet unabashedly ‘shallow and self-centred’ Prince Fiyero. But Galinda’s jealousy of Elphaba’s powers, as well as her fast rapport with Madame Morrible, highlights her insecurities that she is not as perfect as she makes out to be. 

The on-point performances from Grande and Erivo are the heart and soul of the film. Both bring their A-game to create the endearing dynamic that sees these two polar opposites initially clash and eventually embrace each other’s friendship. Grande nails the comic timing while channelling Galinda’s memorable quirks and hair flicks. She also shares an electric chemistry with Erivo, who finally gets her chance in the limelight with a grounded performance that slowly builds in confidence. This culminates in a charged climax when she (and her voice) truly soars. 

With regards to Wicked’s supporting cast, Bailey oozes charm and swagger befitting of Prince Fiyero. Yeoh’s Madame Morrible brings a sinister touch to the narrative, effectively laying the foundation for their characters’ prominent roles in Wicked: Part Two.

As for the musical numbers, they do not disappoint. The songs hit every note and the incredible production design (courtesy of Nathan Crowley) lifts the fast-paced dance sequences to grandiose levels, with ‘Popular’, ‘Dancing Through Life’ and ‘Defying Gravity’ being standouts. These are buoyed by Chu’s sweeping direction and Myron Kerstein’s edits celebrate every beat with smart camera shots and clever cuts. Altogether, the film creates a frenetic energy that ensures the action and musicality doesn’t stop – even with an extensive runtime.

Overall, Wicked: Part One transforms an impressive stage show into a visually dazzling musical, as Chu’s vision and the talents of the ensemble cast weave a spectacle worthy of the big screen. Part Two cannot come fast enough.