Review: Wicked – Part 1 – FilmSnobReviews

14 February, 2025 William Eguizabal 0 Comments 2 categories

Title: Wicked
MPA Rating: PG
Director: Jon M. Chu
Starring: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Runtime: 2 hrs 40 mins

What It Is: Based on the Broadway musical— which itself is based on Gregory Maguire’s novel— we once again ascend into the world of Oz… eventually. However, we begin in Munchkinland, where a baby named Elphaba (Erivo) is born with green skin due to the circumstances of her conception. Constantly undervalued and ridiculed for her skin tone, she grows up in solitude.

When her younger sister, Nessarose (Marissa Bode), is accepted into a prestigious school, Elphaba’s only responsibility is to ensure that her sister arrives on time and in good health. However, a series of events leads to Elphaba being admitted as well, thanks to her innate prowess as a witch. It is here that she meets the privileged and wildly…popular Glinda (Grande).

What We Think: Now this is how you do a musical—take note, Emilia Perez. Every song feels well-placed and purposeful. The biggest issue, however, is that this isn’t really a complete film. Since this is only Part One, we’re left with many unanswered questions—including the one posed at the very beginning of the movie. I’m certain that will be addressed in Part Two.

There are some great performances here. Jonathan Bailey is a scene-stealer. Ariana Grande, though not traditionally considered an excellent actress, delivers a phenomenal performance. Cynthia Erivo is a powerhouse, despite her… rather controversial comments about Black people in America. Nonetheless, her portrayal of Elphaba may have just surpassed that of the wonderful Idina Menzel, who perfected the role on Broadway.

The real-world allegories work well and aren’t lost on me, even if they might be on others. They make everything crystal clear.

Our Grade: A-, Jon M. Chu has truly come into his own as a director in the musical genre. Between this and In the Heights, he’s successfully erased the bad taste of Jem and the Holograms from all of our mouths—a feat in itself. Because of that, Chu continues to get work and, more importantly, continues to improve as a director. This was a mighty undertaking, and I’m happy to report that he mostly nails it.

Check this one out immediately.