This is a movie based on a musical based on a book based on a movie based on a book. > (4.5/5, originally reviewed 11/28/24)

The film presents a beautifully realized depiction of the land of Oz, notable for its detailed visuals and impressive special effects. The upbeat atmosphere and brisk tempo lead to a very exciting ending that should please those familiar with the story. It’s an expertly made and pleasant adaptation. Rating: 7/10

The movie Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu, attempts to translate the popular stage production to film, and mostly succeeds in doing so. The visuals are remarkable; the sets burst with color, and the depiction of Oz has a cinematic quality that feels both recognizable and new. Cynthia Erivo’s portrayal of Elphaba provides a significant emotional layer, really conveying the challenges her character faces. Ariana Grande …

I really wanted to dislike it. The choice to divide the musical into a pair of movies didn't appeal to me, nor did the casting choices. I intensely disliked the preview, which made the movie seem artificial with its shiny, computer-generated imagery—or even something worse produced by artificial intelligence. However, my assumptions were incorrect. Erivo and Grande are fantastic. The supporting actors weren’…

The movie manages to be a captivating musical experience, even with some minor issues in how it's presented and the storyline. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande-Butera both give performances that are exceptionally good and worthy of recognition; their characters feel real because of them, and they bring their roles to an impressive level thanks to their singing abilities. Jon M. Chu created a very large-scale versio…

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 judgmen…

I thought 'Wicked' was very enjoyable. It’s remarkable how quickly a lengthy movie can pass when it’s genuinely engaging—a clear indication of solid storytelling. This one runs for 2 hours and 40 minutes, and I anticipated feeling its length, but surprisingly, I didn’t. Since I started posting reviews online, I've developed a greater appreciation for musicals; now, knowing a film belongs to that genre doesn't real…

It's unusual these days for a film generating considerable buzz beforehand to actually meet expectations, but this adaptation of the Broadway musical genuinely manages to do so across the board. Director Jon M. Chu has skillfully translated the backstory of the two witches from L. Frank Baum’s original novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900), its 1939 film version, and Gregory Maguire's 1995 prequel Wicked: The Life …

I’m going against what most people seem to think about this film, because honestly, it didn’t do much for me. The story picks up right after the end of "The Wizard of Oz," but instead of a celebratory song, we get an energetic, colorful, and well-choreographed dance sequence that's instantly forgettable. Then “Galinda” (Ariana Grande) arrives in a pink bubble to announce the news and join the festivities. It turns ou…

I’ve followed *Wicked* since 2010, so my expectations for this movie were really high! And I was completely surprised by how Jon M. Chu managed to give the story a fresh feel. Everyone involved did a wonderful job! The decision to have the actors sing live really worked out well; not a single note felt off. Bowen Yang & Bronwyn James were laugh-out-loud funny as Phannee & Shen Shen. Marissa Bode was fantastic as Ness…

The film adaptation of Wicked is based on the Broadway musical, which itself draws inspiration from Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel, *Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West*. Both Maguire’s novel and the stage production expand upon L. Frank Baum’s original *The Wizard of Oz*, published in 1900 and famously adapted into a film in 1939. The musical has become one of Broadway's longest-running and most…