Wicked (Part One)

Directed by: Jon M. Chu

Screenplay by: Winnie Holzman & Dana Fox

The wicked witch is dead, melted by a young girl with a bucket of water. As Glinda (Ariana Grande-Butera) visits Munchkinland to confirm the news, the Munchkins want to know is it true that Glinda and the Witch were once friends? As we look back we find Elphaba Thropp(Cynthia Erivo), she’s different, she’s green and has a gift. When she chaperones her sister, Nessa (Marissa Bode), to Shiz university, she meets Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) and finds herself enrolled and rooming with Glinda. At first the girls don’t get on, but as their friendship grows they find themselves in Oz and its Wizard (Jeff Goldblum). But soon they learn everything is not what it seems and this sets Elphaba on a road to “wickedness”.

I had great fun with this film adaptation. Yes, at 160 minutes it’s very long, but apart from a few “baggy” moments, it doesn’t really drag and whizzes along to its part one climax, that proves what an absolute banger of a tune Defying Gravity is.

The emotional beats are there, the sadness of a marginalized Elphaba, a lovely scene of redemption and a wonderfully powerful finale.

The film is helped by its deliciously dark undertones, alongside the fun, humour, songs and dance Oz’s dark elements are on show.  Discrimination, persecution, corruption and vilification of parts of society, all give the story depth.

But at its heart are two super performances. Ariana Grande flicks her locks and has fun with Glinda, but it’s Cynthia Erivo who steals the show with a fabulous performance, full of depth and heart and of course both deliver great vocal performances. They’re well supported, Michelle Yeoh, Goldblum and Jonathan Bailey stand out in a great cast.

Wicked part one is a joy. It has two fabulous central performances, a story full of fun and deliciously dark undertones. While it’s long it doesn’t drag as it barrels along to its big finale. It’s colourful, funny and has emotional depth. And of course some banging tunes. A proper treat.