Wicked- An Adaptation That Does More Than Defy Gravity
Quick Take: I’m this far behind. I’m just now at the point where I can review Wicked, which I put a review out for easily over a month ago on my YouTube channel. Universal made a point of getting me a screener for this, and I was delighted. I did not make the journey to the cinema for this, as that time of year was just far too busy. Then, here comes the screener for my consideration, and I’m delighted.
I was never worried about Ariana Grande. I think Cynthia Erivo is crazy talented, and likely would be better off without social media, and a new publicist. but, as a fan of wicked, and someone who has seen the musical, I had some concern about the feeling of just cutting the musical into two films. My biggest concern was Jon m. Chu, who did not earn my respect following his abysmal adaptation of In The Heights. yes, fight me. My opinion is right, yours is wrong. In the heights was a misguided effort, the very minute they decided to take a hacksaw to lin Manuel Miranda’s music, and excise Abuela Claudia from most of the film. She’s basically the beating heart of the stage musical, and the movie she’s just a fart in the wind. Most of the songs about her were removed, and even references to her later, like painting her face on the bodega were rudely changed. Chu had no idea what he was doing, and it showed. the only critics who adored this are critics who never saw the stage show, or didn’t like it.
So, handing him Wicked seemed like an awful choice. From the director of in the heights, a few Step Up movies, and GI Joe Retaliation, comes Wicked? You must be insane.
Shockingly, this was excellent. He must have learned from the percentage of pissed off In The Heights fans that cutting most of the musical doesn’t work, so he kept damn near everything. he accepted that the original work was already great, and just put that to film. Super easy. Cast it well, and you have a hit. This is one of the better musical adaptations in years, because it just perfectly fits, the talent soars, and it pleased the fans while embracing new ones.
Erivo is stunning as Elphaba, a role that has made and defined many Broadway stars who followed in Idina Menzel’s footsteps. You might think her casting as a black Elphaba is subversive, or that some DEI bullshit got her here, but you’d be wrong.this is not the glass ceiling broken by her. Broadway has already had the honor of shattering that years ago. Here, she just gets to define the screen version of the role, and sing her face off. Her Defying Gravity is superb.
she’s matched, if not occasionally surpassed, by Grande, who takes on the frenemy in Glinda. grande has long been a super fan of Wicked, and her roots begin on Broadway, as she was in the ensemble of 13: The Musical long before she was a household name. She’s back, with a vengeance, and she deserves that Oscar nomination. While Elphaba is grounds for many breakout Broadway stars, Glinda seems to be constantly thought of as Kristin Chenoweth. Erivo lands in the mix of a dozen talented Elphaba’s, while Grande seems to only rival Chenoweth.
The supporting cast, from Jonathan Bailey to Peter Dinklage, all offer iconic moments. Bailey will have more to do in the second half, as he gets to do As long As You’re Mine, a much heftier song than his solo. this is a spectacle, matched by excellent audio description, which has a hard time figuring out when to describe, and when not to upset a song.
I’m pretty close to finalizing my year end list, and I’m locked in my top 3, so i can confidently say this film just missed out on being my #1 film of the year. It is right there in the #2 spot. the problem is, my top pick isn’t nominated at the Oscars, so Wicked is the film I’m rooting for. I can see myself rewatching this over and over. Jon M Chu may not have earned full on accolades from me yet, but he is back on level ground again.
I can’t recommend this enough if you haven’t taken a Wonderful trip yet to the Emerald City. it is just one short day away, and you too can be as popular. Or perhaps, you just aren’t that girl? Ok. I’m done now.
Final Grade: A (Fresh)
