The present “Wicked” doesn’t want a film adaptation to be related — it’s already a cultural phenomenon, even earlier than this primary a part of a behemoth two-film Hollywood model hits theaters. The beloved Broadway musical is taken from Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West,” a revisionist historical past of each Frank L. Baum’s 1900 fantasy novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” and that e-book’s iconic 1939 movie adaptation. So this new movie comes heaped excessive with a century’s price of heritage, within the traditions of literature, display screen and stage, plus the large expectations that include that.
Whereas Dorothy’s twister twirl into Technicolor is burned into our collective consciousness, so too is the large word on the finish of the musical’s first act, sung by the witch on the plot’s heart, Elphaba, within the present’s signature track, “Defying Gravity” (written by Stephen Schwartz, who created all of the music and lyrics for the present). Director Jon M. Chu’s oversize film adaptation takes each second of its 2 hours and 40 minutes to construct as much as that one word.
The battle cry that emerges from Elphaba (performed right here by the Tony-winning Cynthia Erivo) is a second wherein the anti-tyrannical ethos of the movie snaps into focus with such crystal readability that it’s breathtaking. It’s simply the previous rising motion that feels a bit underwhelming.
“Wicked” seeks to clarify to us the Depraved Witch of the West, and the screenplay, which is written by Dana Fox and Winnie Holzman (the latter of whom wrote the present’s e-book) kicks off when a denizen of Munchkinland dares to ask Glinda the Good Witch (Ariana Grande) in her large, pink bubble, “Is it true you were friends with her?” Cue a flashback — now one movie lengthy no less than — to their days at Shiz College, the place the pair first encountered one another.
Elphaba, brainy however rejected by her emotionally withholding father since start as a result of colour of her inexperienced pores and skin, finds herself enrolled at Shiz when she follows her sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode) to high school and by chance unleashes some tough, untrained magical powers, catching the attention of Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), the college’s headmistress. Elphaba is compelled to bunk up with fairly, fashionable, pink-obsessed Galinda (the primary iteration of the Good Witch’s title, although you in all probability know her by one thing shorter), and although they’re at first at odds, Galinda can’t resist trying a makeover of her new roomie.
Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Yeoh within the film “Wicked: Part I.”
(Giles Keyte / Common Footage)
It’s primarily Harry Potter or “High School Musical” with extra magic, however not sufficient film magic. The script must get Elphaba and Galinda to Oz to fulfill the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) and hone Elphaba’s motivation for finally defying the wizard (and gravity), which is wrapped up in a rushed subplot about speaking animals being compelled out of a beforehand built-in society and into cages. Elphaba sings emphatically about wanting to fulfill the Wizard, however why she cares a lot is a bit underbaked. She needs to assist the animals as a result of she feels related with their plight as somebody who can also be bodily totally different, however that need doesn’t transcend floor motivations. What makes Elphaba tick is evident — it’s simply not all the time convincing.
Grande is pleasant as Galinda, exhibiting off her comedic presents (honed within the Nickelodeon trenches) and very good voice. She’s all large brown eyes and a pout, which she places to marvelous use in her efficiency because the petulant princess of Shiz, however her character turns are fairly flat and the world-building of this college might have been a lot sharper and funnier. Bowen Yang of “SNL” does heroic work with just a few advert libs and reactions as Galinda’s pal Pfannee, and Jonathan Bailey is terrific because the dashing prince Fiyero, however the setting doesn’t really feel well-rounded on-screen.
Chu has finished dazzling film musical work earlier than, most just lately with 2021’s “In the Heights,” however regardless of the frilly costume and manufacturing design, “Wicked” is his least visually imaginative movie. The digicam is liberated (by way of CGI) within the track and dance numbers, however every thing else is filmed in a fundamental, boring trend, the background melting right into a dim, unfocused blur behind the actors.
However “Wicked” will delight followers of the stage manufacturing as a trustworthy adaptation that’s without delay playful however reverent to the enduring “Defying Gravity.” It stays a narrative of understanding and togetherness regardless of social energy constructions that depend upon worry and divisiveness.
With one other installment on the way in which, “Wicked” is already too large to fail. However the weight of expectations is a heavy factor to bear and so they bathroom down this succesful film model on its method to liftoff. The movie could battle to take flight, however when it does, it’s undeniably shifting, with a message of freedom and defiance that resonates now greater than ever.
‘Depraved: Half I’
Rated: PG, for some scary motion, thematic materials and transient suggestive materials
Working time: 2 hours, 40 minutes
Taking part in: In huge launch Friday, Nov. 22
