The eagerly anticipated movie version of “Wicked,” based on the multi-award-winning Stephen Schwartz/Winnie Holzman Broadway musical, which was based on the beloved novel by gay writer Gregory Maguire, couldn’t be better timed. As much a backstory of Glinda and Elpahaba, the Good Witch of the North and the Wicked Witch of the West, respectively, as it is an allegory about the rise of fascism and the abuse of power.
When it comes to abuses of power, (straight!) director Jon Chu’s “Wicked, Part One” (Universal), is a pretty good example. Was it Chu’s or the monolithic Universal’s decision to stretch a two hour and 30-minute stage musical into two parts, with the two and half hour first part of the movie concluding with first act closing showstopper “Defying Gravity?” Does that mean that there’s another two point five hours to go? No thanks!
Now that we got that out of the way, let’s talk about Cynthia Erivo’s Oscar-worthy performance as green-skinned with Elphaba. She took the role as the demure and debased young woman who undergoes an extraordinary transformation and made it her own. Never once, while watching her interactions with her sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode), her unexpected dorm-mate and competitor Glinda nee Galinda (a Kristin Chenowith-channeling Ariana Grande), hot prince Fiyero (the perfect Jonathan Bailey), strict instructor Madame Morrible (a “morribly” miscast Michelle Yeoh, because she can’t sing, although she acts the role to perfection bringing the balance of nurturing professor with an undercurrent of evil), and the corrupt Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum), do we ever think of Idina Menzel (who won the Tony for the part).
“Wicked,” like “The Book of Mormon” and “Hamilton,” is the kind of 21st century musical with unforgettable songs. “Wicked, Part One” includes the favorites “Popular,” “The Wizard and I,” “Dancing Through Life,” “I’m Not That Girl,” and, of course, “Defying Gravity.” The musical numbers are all standouts, although Christopher Scott’s choreography is occasionally klutzy. The costumes, designed by Paul Tazewell, are simply dazzling. Unfortunately, we never forget for a minute that the CGI effects are, well, CGI. However, the best of these characters is the talking goat and Shiz University professor Dr. Dillamond (voiced by Peter Dinklage).
Where Erivo is sheer perfection, her co-star Grande, in the supporting role of Galinda/Glinda, has the thankless task of keeping up with her while playing a truly unlikeable character. She does her best, but every time she opens her mouth, a little piece of Kristin Chenowith falls out of it.
Be sure to watch for the surprise, and scene stealing, appearances of Chenowith and Menzel. “Wicked, Part One” is available in IMAX, but would be just as watchable in a regular theater.
Rating: B-
