Many stage productions depend on accepting things at face value. With the right elements, even unusual concepts can succeed onstage; however, adapting them to film often results in disappointment. Cats serves as an example: something about the idea of people portraying cats—which theatergoers enjoyed for many years—simply didn’t translate well to the big screen. It's simple to dismiss Wicked with a similar judgment. Doesn’t it seem somewhat… frivolous? There’s a blonde character who travels in a bubble, and a green woman raised by a bear (whose father might or might not be a wizard). When they encounter each other at an institution resembling Hogwarts, we discover their professor, Dr. Dillamond, is a talking goat. These aren't the hallmarks of a serious, critically acclaimed work. But if you look beyond the surface of any worthwhile fantasy story, you’ll usually find that the underlying messages are substantial and significant. Wicked doesn't deviate from this pattern, with its exploration of parental regret, absent fathers, disability, prejudice, and social hierarchy. We aren’t suggesting Wicked is flawless. At a runtime of 2 hours and 40 minutes, it feels noticeably long, and some characters either seem to be trying too hard (Governor Thropp) or don't contribute much (Pfannee—does she even attend this school?). However, that’s akin to finding a minor flaw on a high-performance boat. It's an impressive vehicle capable of taking you somewhere exciting while also having a profound effect on you. We didn’t anticipate something extraordinary—most moviegoers aren't dedicated fans of Broadway shows—but honestly? You don’t have to be. Wicked is a film for everyone, and perhaps that’s why it feels so satisfying.

Source on TMDB