Wicked Film 2024 – My impressions as a fan of the musical

Spoiler alert: If you haven’t seen the movie or the musical, don’t scroll down as this blog post has so many spoilers.

Since there has been so much rumor and speculation, innuendo, outnuendo, allow me to write this piece of review of the latest film to hit the cinemas here in the Philippines – Wicked!

Let me start by saying that Wicked has long held the top spot on my list of favorite musicals, and for good reason. The dynamic, contrasting duo of Elphaba and Glinda never fails to tug at my heartstrings, their interactions making me laugh one moment and cry the next. The friendship between two characters so opposite in almost every way feels destined to be explosive, and the original cast—Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel—brought that chemistry to life so brilliantly in the stage musical. Below is a gallery of us after watching the musical in Manila in 2014.

Elphaba has always been my dream role. If I ever pursued my dream of becoming a theater actress, that’s the character I’d want to play. Part of the reason is that Idina Menzel originated the role, and I’ve admired her vocal prowess since Rent. But more than that, I relate to Elphaba on a personal level. Like her, I’ve always seen myself as a bit of a rebel—a trait that hasn’t always been appreciated but has helped me form an amazing circle of friends who love me for who I am.

When Wicked first came to the Philippines in 2014, I was one of the first in line to buy tickets. Seeing it live was nothing short of magical—a core memory that I’ll treasure forever. So, when news broke about a movie adaptation starring Ariana Grande, I was beyond thrilled. The anticipation has been real, and I couldn’t wait to see how this beloved story would translate to the big screen.

My Review

It’s nearly impossible to pick a favorite among the cast in this film adaptation, but Ariana Grande’s portrayal of Glinda completely surprised me—in the best way possible. I’ve always admired her as a singer, but I wasn’t expecting her acting to shine as brilliantly as it did in this role. She is Glinda through and through, embodying the character with charm and authenticity. Ariana brought Glinda to life in such a fresh and delightful way that I’ve grown to love her even more. She absolutely deserved the recent award she won for this performance!

Cynthia Erivo had the daunting task of stepping into the shoes of Elphaba, a role famously originated by Idina Menzel and carried by so many other talented theater performers. But Cynthia made the character entirely her own with her unique vocal style and raw, emotional acting. She was simply astounding. Her expressive eyes conveyed everything—jealousy as she watched Fiyero and Glinda together, anger at the injustices around her, and the heartbreaking vulnerability when Glinda and her schoolmates finally accepted her during the dance. There are too many powerful moments to count where Cynthia’s performance was pure magic. She delivered a stunningly original Elphaba that stands on its own.

The decision to cast Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero was an absolute win for the producers. As handsome and charming as ever (thank you, Bridgerton Season 2), Jonathan brought charisma, elegance, and exceptional talent to the role. His singing and dancing were a joy to watch, and he breathed life into Fiyero in a way that felt effortless. Since I avoided all spoilers and casting announcements before watching the film, I let out a genuine gasp when he appeared on screen. Now, I can’t wait for Part 2, where Fiyero’s character takes center stage.

Overall, the casting choices for this film were spot-on. Adding Michelle Yeoh as the cunning Madam Morrible, Peter Dinklage as the voice of Dr. Dillamond, and Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard elevated the movie to an all-star phenomenon. The producers created a perfect ensemble that brought the world of Wicked to life in a way that felt both fresh and faithful to the original.

Overall, director Jon M. Chu delivered a spectacular adaptation, which comes as no surprise given his brilliance behind the film adaptation of Crazy Rich Asians. His vision and storytelling brought Wicked to life in a way that exceeded expectations. I’m beyond excited to see what he has in store for Part 2!

xoxo,

Grassphaba