Yahoo Movies A Wicked-sceptic reviews the Wicked movie
As much as people are always shocked that I, a movie journalist, have never watched the Harry Potter movies, I can always guarantee a similar reaction whenever talk turns to musical sensation Wicked.
Unlike that other series, I have actually seen Wicked, but have never been a massive fan. This shocks people because if there's anything people know about me, it's that I like musicals (and horror movies and Paddington, but that's a weird Venn diagram).
I've told many people that I think it really only has two songs that are genuinely great – 'Popular' and 'Defying Gravity', if you're interested – and have constantly been told I'm wrong. One time I was even told that I couldn't be more wrong.
So really, was I excited for Wicked – or Wicked: Part I to use its full title? Not particularly, but could it make me change my mind? Well...
While it's now officially been hidden from the marketing, Wicked is only the first act of the musical, so don't go expecting the full experience. It's extremely faithful to the musical so it uses the showstopping 'Defying Gravity' as the natural to-be-continued beat, but that could frustrate some viewers.
To a Wicked sceptic, the idea that half the story would be told in 160 minutes (roughly as long as the musical, including interval) was a matter of concern. One of the most impressive aspects of Jon M Chu's adaptation, however, is that you never feel that length: the pacing is expertly handled and musical numbers perfectly spaced out.
For this two-part adaptation, writers Winnie Holzman (who also wrote the musical's book) and Dana Fox also include elements from Gregory Maguire's book that the musical left out. The expansion includes new scenes, such as Elphaba's lessons with Madame Morrible, but also extended musical numbers.
Wicked purists might take to every changed note or staging choice, but Christopher Scott's choreography also frequently pays homage to the musical with beats pulled directly from the stage. Any qualms will also likely be forgotten with one crowdpleasing addition of 'One Short Day'.
Did the expansions make me change my mind on the songs? Yes and no. The cinematic touches, from huge dance numbers to a fun use of split-screen, liven up the likes of 'Dancing Through Life' and 'No-One Mourns the Wicked'. However, the likes of 'I'm Not That Girl' and 'Something Bad' remain somewhat generic.
Wicked's real strength is in the pairing of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as Elphaba and Galinda, who excel in the iconic roles. Grande has terrific comic timing, which comes to the fore in 'Popular', while Erivo nails both the big numbers and the inner turmoil felt by Elphaba's social rejection.
It's Jonathan Bailey who threatens to steal the show though, instantly charming during Flyero's meet-cute with Elphaba. Anybody not swooning already will be with his excellent 'Dancing Through Life' number, Bailey's palpable charisma shining through the extended number which culminates in a reimagined Ozdust Ballroom.
The biggest surprise for a Wicked sceptic was that instead of the biggest complaint being the stretched-out story, it's that the defining song of 'Defying Gravity' isn't given its chance to fly.
There are no complaints with Erivo's powerful delivery, but the number is stretched out too much with too many interjections of action that dull its emotional punch. There's also a strange choice to not end exactly when Elphaba hits that final note and add some flat additional flying instead.
But perhaps the biggest surprise is actually that, as the "to be continued" popped up on screen, Wicked had woven a big enough spell that I felt not relief, but an immediate desire to see part two.
Wicked is released in cinemas on November 22.
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