The movie that we’ve all been “holding space” for, John M. Chu’s take on the Tony award-winning musical “Wicked”, recently broke the box office. The characters weren’t the only ones defying gravity, as the sales for the movie adaptation have crossed $700 million in its first month. Walking into Wicked, I couldn’t help but wonder—does this movie really live up to the overwhelming hype, or is it just riding on Broadway nostalgia and its star-studded cast? With all the buzz about its record-breaking box office numbers and emotional interviews, I wanted to see if Wicked truly defies gravity or if it’s just another overhyped adaptation.
My question was answered the second the first ten minutes of the movie progressed, and I watched as my friends gushed over the “breathtaking sets” and the way the movie was “exactly like the actual play!”. But I wasn’t so starstruck, as the Broadway spectacle hadn’t clouded my thoughts. It is a fantasy world where two people originally opposites become unlikely friends, a trope repeated so many times it’s tiresome. Whether its opposites attract, revolution against corruption, or discrimination against those who are different, the movie’s themes were borderline boring, as everything had been seen before. Cynthia Erivo’s singing was quite frankly the only original thing about the movie, and the songs and musical numbers are the reason I stayed. It’s important to note, that because it was an adaptation of the musical, some themes would remain the same, however, I feel it could have been developed into something more contextual to today, and relatively more interesting.
When asked to give a summary of the movie, the lack of plot became overwhelmingly clear. In most movies about good, and evil, eventually, there is a final clash between the two, whether it’s the Avengers or a Disney movie, that clash is the climax of the film. This film had a final clash between the Wizard of Oz and the two young witches, however, it was directed in such a way that there was no finality to the scene, no fighting, no conclusion, and the plot build-up went to complete waste. While many believe that this is due to the sequel which comes out at a similar time next year, I am of the opinion that this lack of climax essentially was the failure point of the movie. While many movies have sequels or two parts, each individual movie must have a beginning, middle, and end, and here that was so warped that there was no clear beginning, a somewhat clear build-up in the middle, and then a completely abrupt ending. The sequel is based on the second half of the broadway show, and it cuts at the “intermission point” many broadway fans say the actual climax comes in the second part, however that makes it even clearer that Chu should have added a climatic moment in the first movie. It is not fair to say that the movie plot was redundant, as it was entirely based on a successful broadway show, however the lack of stylistic changes with the change of medium made it a bit of a boring watch.
Another thing to note is that not only is it hyped due to its Broadway origins, it also maintains a heavy star-studded cast, with popular singer Ariana Grande as “Glinda”, Bridgerton star Jonathon Bailey as “Fiyero” and Tony award-winning Cynthia Erivo, playing the main character “Elphaba”. While their prior fame adds a lot of attention to the film, it doesn’t take away from the acting or distract the viewer in any way. Their commitment and understanding of the role is clearly visible in the fact that filming for the movie took over two years, and in that time the stars were completely distanced from society. But, their recent interviews have provoked a controversy which is concerning to say the least. This is because, according to most interviews online, Ariana and Cynthia, have been found crying at almost every question! While their achievement and production of the movie is extremely admirable, no interviewer would be surprised if they burst into tears in the middle of the interview. Many fans understand the emotional weight of their roles and the significance of the film, which has been a dream project for both actresses, however comments have ranged from lighthearted jokes about how many tears are too many to more pointed critiques suggesting that the emotional displays feel forced rather than genuine. Another thing to note is that many people have gone for Wicked, to see the reason behind their favorite stars crying all over the internet, which leads us to question whether these tears are real or simply a PR stunt.
After watching Wicked, I can confidently say it delivers on much of its hype musically. The film beautifully captures the heart of the Broadway classic while elevating it with breathtaking visuals, powerful performances, and a cinematic flair that makes the story feel fresh. Cynthia Erivo’s stunning portrayal of Elphaba and Ariana Grande’s charming yet layered take on Glinda are worth every bit of the praise they’ve received. However, the over-the-top emotional interviews that have flooded the internet feel more like a PR tactic than genuine displays of vulnerability. While the movie itself stands strong and doesn’t need the added theatrics, the exaggerated interviews risk overshadowing the actual artistry of the film. Moreover, although many defend the lack of plot in the movie, claiming that the second part will deliver a much bigger climax, for those who have no yet watched Wicked, its nothing you’re missing out on.
