Wicked: Part 1 – A Spellbinding Musical Triumph on the Big Screen
Two things are immediately clear when the Wicked Part 1 starts, which the trailers have been very coy about: firstly, that it is “Part 1” and, secondly, that it is, in fact, a full-blown musical!
The critical reaction from film critics has mainly been positive—with only The Daily Telegraph as a lone dissenting voice, calling it “Utterly exhausting and hopelessly miscast.” Interestingly, many of the critics claim never to have seen the stage show.
As you know, I have seen the show on Broadway and in the West End numerous times, so I’m approaching this from the perspective of someone who knows the material very well. My main concern going into it was that they’ve taken the hour-and-a-half first act of the stage show and turned it into a two-hour-forty-minute film. I was thinking, Oh, this is going to be like The Hobbit, where you feel the story is stretched to breaking point!*
But that’s not what they’ve done here. There were just one or two moments when I found myself thinking, Oh, come on, get on with it. There isn’t much new material, and there are no new songs (apparently, we have to wait for Part 2 for those). However, there is one new musical moment in the middle of an existing song that is fabulous—a real callback to the original Broadway production.
The film both looks and sounds stunning. Director Jon M. Chu has excelled himself, having previously done an excellent job bringing Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In The Heights to the big screen. He clearly loves the show, and one of the benefits of its extended runtime is that, unlike other film adaptations of musicals where you hear complaints like, Oh, they cut my favourite song, here you get all the songs from the stage production. Some dramatic moments also have more room to “breathe.”
The enhanced orchestra means the songs have never sounded better. The Musical Director, who also conducted the show on Broadway, ensures the vocals are tightly controlled, with only minimal examples of what I call “Mariah Carey singing.”
One of Chu’s best decisions was to rely on minimal CGI, using practical effects and sets wherever possible. The massive green train, Emerald City, and the University of Shiz are all real, and this approach pays real dividends. Similarly, much of the singing was recorded live on set rather than lip-synced to pre-recorded tracks. This means poor Cynthia Erivo had to sing live while being whizzed around on wires during Defying Gravity—an incredible feat!
And, joy of joys, we finally have a film musical with people who can actually sing! Cynthia Erivo, who has numerous stage credits in musicals (I saw her in The Color Purple on Broadway), delivers powerhouse vocals while also showing Elphaba’s vulnerability. (Incidentally, Elphaba’s name is derived from L. Frank Baum, who wrote the original novel!)
Coming from the world of pop, Ariana Grande plays Glinda in Wicked Part 1 and gives a delightful performance, avoiding any pop styling. She reportedly refused to adapt Popular to a more hip-hop style, saying she wanted to play Glinda, not Ariana Grande. Her physical comedy and timing are a joy, as is her chemistry with Erivo.
Completing the trio of main performers is Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero. With many stage credits in musicals and plays (I saw him in the recent revival of Company), he is brilliant. He leads the Dancing Through Life number, which looks as if Christopher Nolan’s Inception has been turned into a musical!
The supporting cast of Wicked Part 1 is full of West End performers you’ll want to keep an eye out for, as well as some of the creatives behind the scenes. Be sure to watch and listen carefully for musical clues and Easter eggs that nod to the original film and stage show.
Wicked Part 1 an absolute joy from beginning to end. It’s not going to convert anyone who hates musicals (a very good friend of mine hates them with a passion and slept through the entirety of Act 1 of Wicked on Broadway, only waking with a start at the final beat of Defying Gravity!). But for the rest of us, it’s an early Christmas present.
Do see this on the biggest screen you can—ideally IMAX, with brilliant visuals and sound—and roll on Part 2!
Wicked: Part 1 – A Spellbinding Cinematic Experience
Currently Showing in London Cinemas
Synopsis: Wicked: Part 1 delves into the untold story of the witches of Oz, focusing on Elphaba, a misunderstood young woman with emerald-green skin, and Glinda, a popular figure gilded by privilege and ambition. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz ultimately lead them to fulfill their destinies as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.
Film Details
| Film Title | Wicked: Part 1 |
|---|---|
| Director | Jon M. Chu |
| Starring | Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey |
| Genre | Musical, Fantasy |
| Runtime | 2 hours 40 minutes |
| Rating | PG |
Star Rating:
★★★★★
Recommendation: Experience Wicked: Part 1 on the largest screen available in London, ideally in IMAX, to fully appreciate its stunning visuals and sound. Stay tuned for Part 2 to continue this enchanting journey.
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