USA | Japan | Canada| Iceland | UK 2024
Opening December 12, 2024
Directed by: Jon M. Chu
Writing credits: Winne Holzman, Dana Fox
Principal actors: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande-Butera, Jonathan Bailey, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum
Ding, dong! The Witch is dead. Which old Witch? The Wicked Witch! Ding, dong! The Wicked Witch is dead. Wicked: Part I, an American musical/fantasy opens with Glinda (Galinda) the Good (Ariana Grande-Butera) arriving to Munchkinland to celebrate the death of Elphaba Thropp (Cynthia Erivo), the Wicked Witch of the West. She then goes on to tell the story of her personal relationship as classmate to Elphaba Thropp. This is the first part of a two-part film adaptation of the stage musical. It is also based somewhat on the 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory McGuire which is based on the Oz books by L. Frank Baum and the famous 1939 film The Wizard of Oz by director Victor Fleming featuring Judy Garland.
Set in the Land of Oz, this story covers the beginning and hardships of Elphaba Thropp. It tells of the circumstances of her birth, the rejection of her family due to her green appearance and unusual abilities, and her entrance into the prestigious Shiz University while there to drop off her paraplegic younger sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode). At Shiz University she finally has an opportunity to prove herself. There she meets her new roommate Galinda Upland, the beautiful, popular, bully all dressed in pink. Also, due to her natural abilities, she catches the eye of Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), the Dean of Sorcery Studies who seems to be the only one who really believes in her, and personally tutors her in hopes that she can see The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum) in Emerald City.
This film has it all, a wonderful cast that can sing, fantastic costumes, and a storyline that has us begging for more. The music is wonderful, but the songs don’t stick in your head like the song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” sung by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz. Wicked includes characters like animal professors suffering discrimination to a handsome prince who might save the day and many more characters that reference back to the history of the Land of Oz books/film series of the past. This assures us that there will be more coming our way. After watching Wicked, I overheard two young girls’ discussion of the beauty of Glinda the Good Witch and were hoping that she might become the next Barbie doll they would purchase. I personally am waiting to see the day that we really would get excited about purchasing the misunderstood Wicked Witch of the West Barbie doll. Either way, Wicked: Part II will be released on November 21, 2025, and it is already on my list of films to watch for the conclusion to this story. The National Board of Review has named Wicked the best film of 2024, and it was listed as one of the top ten films of 2024 by the American Film Institute. (160 minutes) (Shelly S.)
Another Opinion by Becky T.
Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Galinda (later Glinda) (Ariana Grande), meet at a university in the Land of Oz. Elphaba also has a sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode) who needs special attention, spending her life in a wheelchair. One of their teachers is a goat, who speaks well, as do all of the animals, including a bear who works as a nanny. Both Elphaba and Galinda are witches with magical powers. Elphaba was born the color green which causes her to suffer mobbing and loneliness. Galinda becomes very popular (she also looks a lot like a Barbie doll and enjoys wearing pink). They interact with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldbum) in Emerald City.
Wicked goes back to the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum which appeared in 1900. Wicked (as well as the Wizard ) then appeared in films and as a musical, which also played in Hamburg, supported by many songs including “I’m Not that Girl.” This film version by Jon M. Chu is based on the book Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West from 1995 by Gregory Maguire. Wicked: Part II will appear in Hamburg in November 2025. You will recognize many parallels with The Wizard of Oz.