A Film Review of Wicked
Well, where do I begin with this masterpiece! You better go and see it. It didn't disappoint.
The adaption of the Broadway musical Wicked, which was adapted from the book written by Gregory Maguire and published in 1995. Who was inspired by the classic film The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Wicked introduces you, Elphaba (who is played by Cynthia Eviro), and invites you to truly get to know her and understand how she got to be known as the Wicked Witch of the West. The opening scene really follows from where the film The Wonderful Wizard of Oz left us. Then we're transported back in time.
Truly, at the heart of it is a story about love and acceptance. It encourages you to see your differences as a strength and to fight for what is right. To have the courage to go against the grain and to be kind. This is prevalent through the righteous and courageous Elphaba who comes across to others as unapologetically herself but at the heart of it she's someone who truly wants to be loved and accepted and I think that's why Glinda (played by Ariana Grande) and her clash is because she holds up a mirror to Glinda. This is found in the constant following and asking Madame Morrible (played by Michelle Yeoh) to train Glinda as well as the party scene which truly solidifies Glinda and Elphaba bond and their friendship is strengthened through vulnerability after being ridiculed and bullied by everyone and for it to shift was lovely and how it should've been all along.
The choreography and scores were thrilling. Dancing Through Life, which was sung by Fiyero, who is (played by Jonathan Bailey), was great. I really enjoyed his character arc. I really love that they did all the stunts themselves, and they were allowed the freedom to switch up things and just play as well.
Defying Gravity was exhilarating. I was on the edge of my seat. Cynthia's beautiful and powerful voice sent shivers down my spine. I really didn't want the film to end!
The characters truly show what choices people make in life and why they do so.
Dr Dillamond, who is (played by Peter Dinklage), really intrigued me, and I really do hope they explore more of him and that storyline in part 2. (The flashback hopefully.) This storyline which is essential to Elphaba's character arch was left out of the press runs and I think that's unfortunate as I would've loved to see a behind the scenes of them creating the animals and whether it was all CGI or whether they see a behind the scenes of them creating the animals and whether it was all CGI or whether they had someone in a black skin tight suit and white things on them to help them make the CGI.
Another person I felt couldn't have more press time is the character Nessarose who is (played by Marissa Bode) she was a great character for me and I hope Hollywood sits up and takes notice of disabled actors and actresses. I hope she explored more in part 2.
Boq, who was (played by Ethan Slater,) was good. I like his facial expressions and gestures and how they said everything.
The acting in this was really good.
In the dance scene, I couldn't look away from Elphaba, the pain in her eyes. How she was trying to hold it together was just amazing.
Of course Ga Linda was amazing, the hair flipping was funny and I kept singing Popular. I love how each character is truly a fleshed out being and not a side person.
When it finished I instantly wanted to watch it again to truly take in all the grandeur of the set design and costumes. It was completely mesmerising. It must've been incredible for the whole cast to truly get the chance to interact and fully immerse themselves with this magical and colourful world that Jon M Chu the director created. I really hope one day they open up a Wicked World. It would be amazing to go there and have a go on the train they made and see all the costumes and set design as the amount of detail is exquisite. I watched the InStyle YouTube video 'Wicked' Costume Designer Breaks Down Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivos Dresses where Paul Tazewell goes in depth with the inspiration behind each costume design. He was so conscientious of every little detail and how they would fit each character both personality wise and practically. I hope Ariana was able to keep the flower dress that was stunning. I don't know how she resisted the urge to not wear it on the red carpet.
This attention to detail was found by the Production Designer Nathan Crowley who really transported us into in the world of Oz. The map room of Oz was amazing. Jeff Goldblum who plays the Wizard of Oz really elevated the whole charm and magic of that scene for me.
You can tell as a viewer how much everyone really cared and truly loved this story. Everyone from top to bottom really gave it their all and for that I'm grateful. It takes a whole lot of people to first give you the go ahead, maintain the vision and bring the whole world to life as well as balancing the money right. This must've cost millions and I say money well spent. I love that Jon M Chu fought for the fields to be planted with 9 million tulips which the Production Designer Nathan Crowley proposed. The YouTube video on Architectural Digest where Nathan Crowley speaks in depth about his and his team's process of putting all the sets together was so interesting. As someone who loves to write it would be really good to hear from Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox who wrote the screenplay to see what their journey was and how it all came together. I thought the writing was very witty and natural.
I for one am very much looking forward to part 2. It will be brilliant to see where they go from here. It's going to be good.
So if you haven't already go and watch Wicked and if you have let me know your thoughts.
Thank you very much for reading! I wish you all the best.
Written by Zebbie Ann Perry