Wickedhas been a well-loved chapter inThe Wizard of Ozuniverse sinceGregory Maguire’s novel was first published in 1995. The stagemusicalhas been a cultural phenomenon, introducing theater-goers around the world to a new perspective on the world of Oz.Wickedthe movie featuresCynthia Erivoas Elphaba andAriana Grandeas Glinda. The movie re-creates the first half of the stage musical, and chronicles Elphaba and Glinda’s time at Shiz University.
Although the movie is a strong adaptation of thestage musicaloverall, it falls short in several important ways. The movie misses key opportunities to highlight the most important elements of the musical. Some of these opportunities relate to character development and the fact that the movie limits certain characters' stories unnecessarily.Wickedthe movie is ultimately limited by its medium, and some of the magic of the story is lost.
The story of how a green-skinned woman framed by the Wizard of Oz becomes the Wicked Witch of the West. The first of a two-part feature film adaptation of the Broadway musical.
8The Film’s Extended Runtime Makes it Less Accessible
The split into two parts a year apart makes it harder to invest in.
A trip to the theater to seeWickedis a once-in-a-lifetime eventfor many. While the musical, unfortunately, remains financially inaccessible to many fans, from a time perspective, the movie requires a more significant commitment. While fans wait for the second half of the musical to be released, and it remains to be seen what else will be added to the story,it is unfortunate that everyone has to wait so long in between chapters.
…From a time perspective, the movie requires a more significant commitment.
The fact that the movie version ofWickedis split into two parts and is being released one year apart makes it hard to see it as a complete work. While the first movie added some fun scenes to the stage show, it came up short in justifying why it had to be two completely different movies being released so far apart.The Brutalistgave permission for modern movies to be extra long and to include intermissions.Wickedcould have done the same.
7There’s a Lack of Intimacy in the Movie
The theater offers a unique atmosphere.
Wickedis a deeply intimate storyat its core. While the movie version has certain scenes, like that at the Ozdust Ballroom, it falls short in capturing the theater experience. Sitting in a theater with live performers elicits a unique emotional reaction in viewers, since each performance cannot be duplicated.Wickedthe movie feels static compared to the musical, since the musical version of this story is an entire experience.
Sitting in a theater with live performers elicits a unique emotional reaction in viewers, since each performance cannot be duplicated.
SinceWickedis a movie, it is limited in how well it is able to elicit reactions from the audience. While every movie audience is different, and viewers have a chance to bond in this way, it just isn’t a comparable experience to live theater. There is a closeness that comes from seeing the set and performers close up. The musical offers unvarnished performances that might be imperfect. This gives the stage musical the edge over a movie that has been edited and rehearsed to perfection.
6The Production Design Lacks the Stage’s Charm
Some of that magic is lost from stage to screen.
As a musical,Wickedis known for its captivating setsthat have thrilled audiences since it first hit the stage. The practicalities of stagingWickedare part of what makes it so enthralling for fans. Since each production of theWickedmusical is so distinct, fans can expect a different look every time. It’s easy to appreciate the effort that goes into creating the set pieces inWickedthe musical when they are experienced up close. By contrast,much of theWickedmovie comes across as generic, even at its most magical.
It’s easy to appreciate the effort that goes into creating the set pieces inWickedthe musical when they are experienced up close.
Unfortunately, the sets of a movie are static by nature, so it is impossible to re-create the musical’s look and feel. There are some beautiful set pieces in theWickedmovie, to be sure. Unfortunately, there is no hiding the fact that this version ofWickedis a movie. It’s simply not possible to have a living, breathing set in this medium. Like the characters, the set pieces ofWickedthe movie come across as too perfect for their own good.
5Elphaba Gets Lost in the Movie
She’s given more space in the musical.
Cynthia Erivo was an undisputed highlight ofWickedthe movie as Elphaba. She brought such charm and compassion to the character and arguably fleshed out the stage version of the character more fully. Unfortunately,the limited scope of the movie did not let Erivo do more to highlight how special this character is.Wickedthe movie unnecessarily limits Elphaba’s story, and she gets lost in a massive ensemble with equally overwhelming set pieces.
This is unfortunate because the stage musical allows Elphaba to shine completely without getting lost in the shuffle. In the stage musical, the main focus is on Elphaba and how she reckons with her own morality. By contrast, the movie mainly shows Elphaba in relation to those around her, particularly her friend Glinda. While there are moments in the movie that are about Elphaba’s reckoning with her destiny, they do not get nearly the attention they deserve.
4There’s Only One Elphaba and One Glinda
The charm of seeing different versions of these characters is lost.
One of the charms ofWickedas a stage musical is the fact that each Elphaba and each Glinda bring something unique to the roles. For theater fans, it is charming to watch what each actor brings to the role and how each pair creates a new dynamic for this iconic duo. Unfortunately, this is another example of the movie falling short by limiting itself. While Erivo and Grande are captivating to watch,they have the pressure of becoming the definitive versions of these characters.
…It is charming to watch what each actor brings to the role and how each pair creates a new dynamic for this iconic duo.
Having a single version of Elphaba and Glinda limitsWickedthe movie and takes away from the universality of this story. Through the Elphaba and Glinda dynamic, viewers are invited to reflect on the universal nature of female friendship and what a powerful force it is. Some of this power is lost by having a single pair of actresses play these characters. While Erivo and Grande bring unique perspectives to these roles, the movie doesn’t create the opportunity for other actors to do the same.
3CGI Animals Detach Their Own Characters’ Humanity
This misses a major theme of the overall story.
One key element ofWickedis its commentary on censorshipthrough the animal characters. Watching the animals lose their rights while society continues on around them is meant to be an alarming feature of the story that is meant to get the viewers to reflect on how insidious tyranny can be. In the stage version of the musical,the fact that the animals are played by human actors drives home the point that these beings are worthy of equal rights in the context of this universe.
Watching the animals lose their rights while society continues on around them is meant to be an alarming feature of the story…
WhilePeter Dinklageis undeniably magnetic in his role as Dr. Dillamond inWicked,the movie loses something by having the animalsreduced to CGI. The story makes the same points as the stage musical regarding the perils of tyranny and how it affects society’s most vulnerable members.However, the movie again falls short of highlighting this powerful part of the narrative by removing the physical humanity from these characters.
2Elphaba’s Father Is Much More Remote and Uncaring
His presence should be felt, not seen.
While Elphaba’s father may not be important to the overall story, his presence is an essential part of Elphaba’s character development. His absence is an important part of Erivo’s story.In the movieWicked, while he is distant, he comes across as a well-meaning father who resents Elphaba specifically. Governor Thropp (Andy Nyman) shows how much he cares about Nessarose (Marissa Bode) when he drops her off at Shiz University and asks Elphaba to look out for her. This gives his character a complexity that doesn’t exist in the musical, where he is only mentioned.
…His presence is an essential part of Elphaba’s character development.
Seeing Governor Thropp, even for a short time, is unnecessary.By keeping this character out of the story, it is easier to appreciate the fact that he was always an absent father. This adds depth to both Elphaba and Nessarose as characters, as they navigate the implications of not having a parental figure to guide them. The fact thatWickedthe movie makes Governor Thropp even a little bit sympathetic takes away from the fact that his absence sets the stage for Elphaba to face an existential crisis and for Nessarose to become a dictator when she takes over for him.
1Too Many References to ‘The Wizard of Oz’
The musical stands more on its own.
WhileWickedexplores the world of Ozon a deeper level thanThe Wizard of Oz, the musical stands on its own as a complete story. Part of what makesWickedthe musical so accessible as a story is the fact that it doesn’t rely on familiarity with this fantasy universe.While the musical does reference what is to come inThe Wizard of Oz, the story is complete without these. By contrast,Wickedthe movie makes several references toThe Wizard of Ozin particular; and it takes pains to emphasize how everything inWickedwill ultimately lead to Dorothy Gale and her companions.
This opening scene serves as a distraction from the fact thatWickedis its own story quite apart fromThe Wizard of Oz.
While it remains to be seen how the second half ofWickedwill handle these references, the first movie was far less subtle when setting up this dynamic.In particular, the fact that the opening ofWickedthe movie features Dorothy walking along the Yellow Brick Road towards Oz is egregious. This opening scene serves as a distraction from the fact thatWickedis its own story quite apart fromThe Wizard of Oz. The limited references toThe Wizard of Ozin the stage version ofWickedallow viewers to immerse themselves more fully in this universe.
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