It’s taken over 20 years, but Wicked is finally a motion picture event. Part 1 which came out to an early audience Thurday November 21, 2024, is causing musical enthusiasts everywhere to flock to theaters.
Based on the novel by Gregory. Macquire, Wicked tells the untold story about the infamous witches of Oz and ultimately how they became who they are. In the movie debut, the film stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo; both of whom had very big shoes to feel so to speak. That being said, both actresses did nothing short of exceding expectations. The both capture the essence of the original cast, (Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth) as well as making their roles their own as a whole.
The film also starred greats including Jeff Goldblum and the Wizard, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible and the voice talents of Peter Dinklage as Dr. Dlilamond. The entire cast ultimately does a great job of bringing the World of Oz to life and giving a different perspective to a classic story. There is even a fitting tribute to the original as both Menzel and Chenoweth add to the film as the Ozian superstars, when they greet the characters that they once made famous. Like other live action films, it’s kind of a passing of the torch from the original to the new/
All in all, Wicked is beautifully crafted with stunning set pieces, dancing numbers and of course the iconic songs including Defying Gravity, What is this feeling?, and Popular. Additionally, being the untold story of the Witches of Oz, there are several nods to the original Wizard of Oz that will further explain just why things were the way they were in the 1939 original.
Ultimately, Wicked Part One will have audiences laughing, crying and ultimately singing along especially to the sing-along versions which are rumored to be realized next month. Until that though, one can see the film of the year only in a theater near you.
Part 1 came out Nov. 22, 2024 and Part 2 is scheduled to come out November of next year.