Wicked “Defies” Expectations

After nearly twelve years of anticipation, Wicked hit theatres on November 22nd following months of buzz, viral moments, and early reviews hailing it as “the movie of the year.” I went into Wicked blind knowing very little of the plot and mainly seeing the film because of all of the viral moments that emerged during the press tour for the movie. However, I was blown away; it combined stunning visuals with catchy songs and witty humor. Needless to say, Wicked defied my expectations. 

I want to begin by talking about the exceptional performances of the two leads of the film: Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba the Wicked Witch, and Ariana Grande who plays Glinda the Good Witch. Erivo flawlessly depicts Elphaba’s caring heart, while simultaneously instilling a strong moral compass and sense of bravery that has made the character so iconic for decades. Just yesterday, Erivo was nominated for her third Academy Award for her role in the film. Erivo brings humor, emotion, and of course, her amazing singing voice allowing her to encapsulate Elphaba to a tee. 

Ariana Grande shocked me with her standout performance, as her comedic timing is perfect, yet she is still able to bring great emotion when it is required of her. It is common knowledge that Grande has a powerful singing voice, but I was unsure if she could keep pace with Broadway-trained Erivo. However, Grande did. The movie begins with the pop star hitting some of the highest notes I have ever heard, and she does so flawlessly. Grande nails her character’s titular song “Popular” and delivers an all-around knockout performance. For her stellar portrayal, Grande received her very first Academy Award nomination yesterday in the Best Supporting Actress category. 

To be transparent, I have never been a huge fan of musicals; the songs tend to bore me and I almost always would opt for a non-musical movie. Despite my usual disdain for musicals, I was transfixed by the songs in Wicked. Cynthia Erivo’s voice is absolutely out of this world, and her rendition of Defying Gravity had most of my theater in tears. I can say on a personal level that I had goosebumps for the entire number. My other favorite numbers include “The Wizard and I,” “Dancing through Life,” and “Popular.” Each song is sung to perfection by the talented cast. What makes this movie all the more impressive is the fact that these songs were sung live on set as a means to make the movie feel more authentic. The songs successfully moved the story along while also packing an emotional or comedic punch. As a musical hater, I can say I thoroughly enjoyed the music in the movie. 

The movie is visually stunning; the set design for Shiz the school in which Elphaba and Glinda is beautiful and allows the audience to become fully immersed in the titular character’s struggles and triumphs while in school. Perhaps the most visually impressive aspect of the movie is Elphaba and Glinda’s arrival in Oz, where the iconic Emerald Green City is captured perfectly and sets a beautiful backdrop for the film’s tense climax. I went into this film with low expectations; however, it defied my expectations in nearly every aspect. The film’s leads Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are at the top of their games both as actresses and singers. The songs are performed to perfection and assist in moving the story forward in a meaningful manner. The visuals of the film are also stunning and transport the audiences to the land of Oz. On January 19th, Wicked received ten Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. Wicked is playing in theaters and is available for purchase on streaming platforms.