wicked movie review: We live in a time where villains are being considered gods in real life, whether in the East or the West. So, it makes sense that our cinema is obsessed with humanizing villains, including characters we grew up hating. Sometimes, these movies, or “prequels” as we call them, change these characters so much that we find ourselves rooting for them. look what Cruella Done with the Dalmatian-skinning crone. or how transformer one Megatron was re-imagined as a wronged worker rising up against his employer, but he was labeled a villain. Now, it’s time for the Wicked Witch of the West to prove she’s not so wicked after all WickedGet ready for a nearly three-hour runtime that will explore how she’s green but never mean, sings songs, and to top it all, there’s a sequel coming next year. Google has added a new feature to ‘Wicked’ that allows users to defy gravity by clicking on the green hat that appears when they search ‘Wicked Movie’.,
Wicked Based on the popular, long-running stage musical and serves as a prequel to the 1939 classic the Wizard of Ozif you remember sam raimi oz The Great and Powerfulwhich starred Mila Kunis and Rachel Weisz, forget it ever existed. In WickedThe witch is not a despised woman who turns green with envy. Instead, she is Elphaba Throop (Cynthia Erivo), a girl who was born green due to her mother’s affair with a mysterious stranger. Her father hates her, she discriminates against her throughout her life, and she eventually becomes a powerful witch with good intentions who is mistaken for evil. Yes, folks, she was a warrior in Munchkindland.
A still from Wicked
When she becomes an adult, Elphaba accompanies her younger sister Nessarose (Marisa Bode) to Shiz University, where she has enrolled as a student. There, her uncontrolled magic is unleashed, attracting the attention of the headmistress, Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh, brilliant as always with some sharp retorts), and Elphaba is admitted there as well. If the name ‘Morrible’ rings alarm bells in your mind, keep it ringing.
At Shiz, Elphaba faces constant prejudice. Some people become so frightened by his green skin that they run away; Others scoff in disgust. This is a school where animals like Peter Dinklage’s Doc Dillamond teach lessons, but even they draw the line at a green-skinned student. Such hypocrisy suggests that perhaps the world—not Elphaba—is evil. Unless, of course, you’ve seen the original film.
A still from Wicked
Madame Morrible pairs Elphaba with Glinda (Ariana Grande), who later becomes Glinda the Good Witch. Here, she calls herself Galinda, an arrogant, insufferable, yet strangely attractive figure with a pose to match. Grande seems to be relishing the role, with her comedic timing and hair-twisting occasionally eliciting laughs. However, her character – softening into a kind friend – feels formulaic.
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Despite their initial differences, Glinda and Elphaba become friends, even BFFs. But circumstances soon challenge their bond, leading Elphaba to accept her infamous title.
‘Wicked’ Movie Review – A Colorful But Patience-Testing Origin Story
in its heart, Wicked It’s an origin story reworked to make us sympathize with a villain while angering the “good” girl. It’s also essentially a high school musical set in Wonderland, so your enjoyment will depend on how much you like that kind of atmosphere. There are some amusing musical numbers, such as a library-set song that makes clever use of its art design. Still, the songs, while serviceable, are mostly forgettable and contribute to the film’s patience-testing runtime.
Story also involves gender-swap student of the year-Shelley’s love triangle involving Elphaba, Glinda, and Fiyero Tigelaar (Jonathan Bailey). Fiyero is a charismatic rebel who attracts everyone regardless of gender. Bailey is excellent in the role, but aside from a standout library song, her subplot adds little to the main narrative, instead reinforcing the film’s high-school drama identity.
A still from Wicked
Another subplot involves talking animals being captured to talk. This gives Elphaba a noble cause and begins the third phase of the conflict. While this subplot draws interesting parallels with real-world oppression, its impact is diminished by the film’s focus on romance and makeovers. Still, it contributes to a more engaging climax, where Elphaba and Glinda confront the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum, playing the role as well as he can).
A still from Wicked
If you’ve seen the original film or Raimi’s prequel, you’ll already know the magician’s twist. This arc also explains the origin of those terrifying flying monkeys. While the confrontation has its tense moments, the characters still find time to sing songs in the midst of the conflict. The film ends with Elphaba meeting Elsa (Idina Menzel, who voiced the character). frozenCameo in the film too). That moment, which is the film’s best moment, sadly comes too late. PDA alert! Ariana Grande poses with beau Ethan Slater during ‘Wicked’ promotions in Australia,
‘Wicked’ Movie Review – What Works, What Doesn’t
whether Wicked Depending on your tolerance for this tendency to whitewash villains, harry potter-esque school drama, and songs emerging from casual conversations. The central plot feels thin. Still, Jon M. Chu’s charming direction elevates the material. A standout scene is the opening sequence involving a single-tracking shot of the flying monkeys traveling from Elphaba’s home to the wizard’s castle (watch out for a quartet of familiar cameos) – truly a visual stunner. Other sequences also showcase some gorgeous, practical set designs, which add to the film’s charm.
A still from Wicked
Cynthia Erivo anchors the film with a wonderful, sympathetic performance that makes you root for Elphaba again and again, and she comes through powerfully in that last sequence. Ariana Grande’s spirited performance as Glinda adds a touch of charm. These performances, combined with Chu’s direction, make Wicked a watchable, if not downright overwhelming, experience.
‘Wicked’ Movie Review – Final Thoughts
Wicked It may not work on you completely, but there is some magic in it which keeps you engaged to some extent. Sure, its high-school drama tropes, bloated runtime, and ‘villains are misunderstood’ narrative soon feel overly familiar and tired. Still, Jon M. Chu’s knack for spectacle, Cynthia Erivo’s heartfelt performance, and Ariana Grande’s playful turn as Glinda give the film a charm that’s hard to deny. It either enthralls you or leaves you exhausted, depending on your appetite for sweet backstories and flashy tales.
(The opinions expressed in the above article are those of the author and do not reflect the stance or position of The Latest.)