Review By J1 Reporter Maddie Waters

Something has changed within me.

And that is because of the profound impact of the screen adaptation of the world-renowned Broadway musical “Wicked,” released on Nov. 22 and directed by Jon M. Chu. This past Sunday, I finally saw this highly anticipated film starring Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. 

Having never seen the musical or listened to any of the songs, I did not know what to expect going into the movie, other than that it was based on the 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz.” I had heard from people who quoted the film as being “life changing,” and also from people who said that the film was “overhyped.” Despite this, I vowed to go into the movie open minded and was determined to discern my own view on this groundbreaking film.

From the beginning, “Wicked” was different from any movie I had seen before. The entirety of the play was split into two parts to ease the transition onto the movie screen. Though the play was split in two, “Wicked” (Part one), rated PG, still had a run time of a whopping 2 hours and 40 minutes. Before this movie, I had never watched anything that long before, causing me to be a bit wary of what could possibly warrant that long of a film.

However, I found myself completely enraptured the entire 2 hours and 40 minutes.

The film follows two unlikely best friends, the wealthy and beautiful Glinda Upland (later Glinda the Good) and the hated, green-pigmented Elphaba Thropp (later the Wicked Witch of the West). After being unexpectedly paired as roommates at Shiz University, the two slowly start to look past their glaring differences and focus on their extraordinary similarities. Together, they navigate their social and academic lives at Shiz, studying sorcery and learning of the deep-rooted injustices within Oz. Glinda teaches Elphaba the art of popularity, and Elphaba teaches Glinda the beauty of standing out. With Glinda’s social knowledge and cunning mind, and Elphaba’s unique powers and sheer determination, the duo is unstoppable, rising above many challenging encounters. Together, they are unlimited. 

As they begin to bravely take a stand against these injustices, the two realize that their paths to happiness may not lead to the same destination. Ending with the tear-jerking “Defying Gravity,” the movie ends abruptly with a “to be continued,” after Elphaba flees the Wizard and his flying monkeys. Glinda stays behind, leaving viewers anxiously awaiting part two as they wonder what would become of this improbable friendship.

Throughout various points of the movie, I found myself experiencing so many different emotions. The ending of “Defying Gravity” left me in tears, while other, more lighthearted scenes, such as “Popular” left me roaring with laughter. 

Though the plot of the movie is entirely fictional, its underlying values of embracing change, accepting and welcoming societal outcasts and the importance of true, lasting friendships are applicable to so many people in today’s world. “Wicked” taught me to branch out and give those I may not know a chance to become my friends, and showed me the necessity of being there for others, no matter what society may say. 

It is clear that I am not the only person who loved this film, with Rotten Tomatoes giving it an 89%, and thousands of five star reviews online. 

Overall, I would rate this movie a 10 out of 10. With an incredible soundtrack, a beautiful mixture of romance, friendship, comedy, action and current societal applications, this is easily one of the best films I have seen this year. I have a feeling that I have discovered one of my favorite films of all time in “Wicked,” and I am endlessly excited to be transported back to Oz when part two comes out in November of 2025.