By MADISON LEE
“Wicked,” one of 2024’s biggest movies, has had a great impact on film buffs, theater-goers and “The Wizard of Oz” lovers alike. The stage version of “Wicked” has been a renowned show on Broadway ever since its debut performance in 2003. Recently, the story has been adapted into a two-part film series by Jon M. Chu, with part one released in theaters this past November.
The movie follows the origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West, who is known as Elphaba in this adaptation. Actress Cynthia Erivo plays Elphaba, an ambitious and kind-hearted student who is ostracized by her peers for her green skin. She attends Shiz University with Glinda, a popular yet haughty young woman played by Ariana Grande. The movie follows their unexpected friendship through impressive dance numbers and iconic songs adapted from the original musical. As the film unravels, different aspects of the story mirror real-life societal flaws and make one question the actual meanings of good and evil.
Although “Wicked” was well-received among critics and was a box-office hit, casting Ariana Grande was controversial for some viewers. Sophomore Yuna L. said, “I don’t think Ariana Grande should have been Glinda. I feel like she doesn’t fit it.”
Some argue that Grande was a good choice and appreciate her devotion to the character. Grande’s portrayal was definitely notable, as she was able to fully prove her singing and acting skills. Sophomore Sophie X. said, “Personally, I think she did great and she wanted to be Glinda for so long.”
Another issue people had with the movie was its run-time, which was 2 hours and 41 minutes. Although the film was lengthy, it incorporated important details that the Broadway show lacked, which made the story much easier to understand. Freshman Nella G. said, “I think it was really good compared to the Broadway show. It was a little long, but it wasn’t boring at all.”
As most people know, lack of diversity is one of the most prevalent and long-running issues that exist in the film industry. However, “Wicked” worked hard to combat this problem by casting actors of various ethnicities and backgrounds. It is refreshing to see a film in which representation is promoted in a tasteful way, especially in a story about being different.
Guidance counselor Ms. Geringer appreciated the movie’s approach to inclusivity. “The diversity of the cast was one of my favorite aspects. It was relevant and students can see themselves in the artists,” she said.
Overall, “Wicked” was a success on many fronts, as it was able to maintain the same charm and feel of the original play while also standing as an impressive film on its own. Part one is now available on streaming services such as Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video. Also, make sure to look out for the movie’s second part which releases on November 21, 2025.
Featured image courtesy of Universal Pictures
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