By Shreya Ghoshal and Gio Arteaga
Shreya’s Review:
Over Thanksgiving break, I headed down to AMC 14 to see the newly released film adaptation of Wicked, directed by the widely acclaimed Jon M. Chu. After seeing the show receive raving reviews on opening weekend, I was so excited to see the movie!
I have pretty high expectations when it comes to movie adaptations of stage musicals because it’s so hard to recreate the magic of a live performance on screen. On stage, the energy of the actors, the live orchestra, and the overall experience makes every performance feel unique. In movie versions, however, songs are sometimes altered to sound more like mainstream pop music, which can completely change the tone and integrity of the original score. Broadway songs are written to tell a story and to develop the character throughout the song, but when producers prioritize making them appeal to a non-musical audience, they lose that emotional depth. On top of that, movies often cast celebrities or pop singers instead of true Broadway performers who bring a level of training that’s hard to match. The Mean Girls Musical film adaptation, that massively flopped, was a prime example of this phenomenon. All this criteria makes it tricky for movie adaptations to truly capture the life of a musical.
I was pleasantly surprised by Ariana Grande as Glinda. Not only was she hilarious and wickedly talented, but she looked stunning and perfectly embodied the emotional depth of Glinda, a character who often comes across as bubbly and superficial, but actually has so much more going on beneath the surface. I especially loved her new extended take on the ending of the fan favorite song “Popular.” Additionally, her coloratura soprano moments in the show sounded incredibly legit and beautiful and I continue to admire and be stunned by her vocal versatility. However, my favorite part about Grande’s Glinda was her hilarious acting choices. Her ability to balance the character’s comedic and serious sides really added a new layer to the role. Glinda is a role I hold near and dear to my heart and I was very happy with her portrayal of this beloved character.
Unfortunately, I was slightly disappointed by Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. Although her performance was full of emotion and heart, she fell victim to the movie-musical adaptation trap of adding unnecessary riffs to songs. A beautiful ballad like “I’m Not That Girl” doesn’t need extra vocal runs that distract from the raw emotion of the song. The original version is so simple and pure, and sometimes, the extra flourishes just take away from that. It’s understandable that movie musicals might want to highlight a performer’s vocal range, but I felt it took away from the vulnerability that the song originally had. As a Broadway performer I hoped Erivo would avoid pop influence in her interpretation of Elphaba, but unfortunately she did not. However, she was quite amazing and I still enjoyed watching her in the movie.
Overall I walked out of the theater with my jaw to the floor. From the horrifying flying monkeys to the unlikely friendship of Glinda and Elphaba, I was on the edge of my seat throughout the show. Even though the story is split into two parts, this first half feels complete and leaves you excited for what’s next. Although the film didn’t exceed my expectations, it was worth the watch and I would recommend it.
Gio’s Review:
The film adaptation of Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Cynthia Erivo as the “wicked witch,” Elphaba, and Ariana Grande as “good witch” Glinda, utterly and wholeheartedly surpassed my expectations. As someone who has never seen wicked, I walked into the theater excitedly and optimistically.
The real questions I was asking myself were if the songs were going to sound just as good as the playlist Laura Lipcsei, Paloma Rose, and I were listening to in the car. Yet, from the very first note to the final curtain, I was blown away. Cynthia Erivo’s portrayal of Elphaba was nothing short of mesmerizing—her voice carried vulnerability and power in a way that left me CRYING during and after her performance of “Defying Gravity.” Ariana Grande’s Glinda brought an unexpected blend of humor and sincerity, making us laugh one moment and tugging at my heartstrings the next. The stunning visuals, including the Emerald City’s intricate design and the vibrant costumes, pulled me deeper into the story. It was clear the filmmakers poured their hearts into this adaptation, and as I sat in the packed theater, the gasps and applause around me confirmed I wasn’t the only one who felt that way, especially Laura Lipcsei, who started crying profusely next to me.
What honestly made me even happier were the Easter eggs scattered throughout the film, many of which felt like love letters to both The Wizard of Oz and Wicked fans. One of my most genius moments was the subtle incorporation of “Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead” into the new arrangement of “Defying Gravity.” At first, I didn’t notice it. Still, then, after hearing it from Stephen Schwartz in an interview, I realized how cleverly the melody wove through, reminding us that Elphaba is both the feared “wicked” witch and the misunderstood hero Oz needed. Seeing Dorothy and her “gang” right at the movie’s beginning also took me by surprise. It was a bold move to directly connect Wicked to its origin story, yet it worked perfectly. During one scene, I even caught myself whispering, “Oh my gosh, that’s the Tin Man!” to Paloma. These little notions deepened my appreciation for the story. Beyond the big moments, I loved the more minor details too, like Nessarose’s ruby necklace—a subtle callback to the ruby slippers—and Glinda’s pink ball gown, which felt like a modern homage to Billie Burke’s iconic look in the 1939 film.
Leaving AMC 14, I couldn’t stop talking about how deeply the movie connected and the hundreds of hours put into the work of art. There’s something about seeing the story play out on such a grand scale outside of a Broadway stage that felt fresh and emotional. The themes of friendship, acceptance, and challenging societal labels hit deeper, especially today. Watching Elphaba’s journey unfold, I felt seen in a way that’s hard to describe—her resilience and defiance against a world that constantly misunderstood her reminded me of my own moments of struggle and triumph. It’s rare for a film to connect so powerfully, and from the looks on people’s faces as we filed out of the theater, I wasn’t alone. If you’re a fan of the musical or just love a story with heart, Wicked is a must-see. For me, it’s more than a movie; it’s a reminder of how much impact a good story can have on our lives. Overall I rate the movie a 10/10!