If you’ve ever seen the movie The Wizard of Oz, you’ll know that the green skinned Wicked Witch of the West is the bad tempered murderous nemesis of Dorothy. We all assume that she was simply born evil, but as the theatrical musical and now the film illustrate there’s a lot to the witch’s story we haven’t been told.
For one thing, as a young girl Elphaba is caring and sweet but bullied by her father and pretty much everyone she comes in contact with. Her sister is the favourite and when both attend Shiz University Elphaba once again finds herself bullied. Forced to be a roommate with the beautiful and clueless Galinda an unlikely bond is formed. I wont say any more for those who don’t like spoilers and who maybe haven’t seen the musical, but take it from me there are plenty of plot twists on the way to the end of the film. The biggest non-surprise in the film, which is highlighted by its title, is that only half of the story is being told, the sequel is due in a years time.
This is a very glamorous and action packed film that has some very tender hearted moments and some great fight scenes. The university is a magical version of every American high school you’ve seen in TV shows and movies, replete with all the usual tropes and archetypes – bullies, jocks, nerds and of course the blond clueless and self absorbed popular girl Galinda. Oh, a quick side note – part way through she drops the ‘a’ and names herself Glinda.
This is a very glamorous and action packed film that has some very tender hearted moments and some great fight scenes. The costuming and effects are well done, but it is the singing that really defines this film and Cynthia Erivo as the Elphaba the young witch, Ariana Grande as Glinda are simply fantastic.
It may not be everyone’s taste, but I found it to be glorious fun and it passed by much quicker than its 160 minutes would have indicated. This is a really entertaining movie that isn’t just for kids.
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WICKED PART ONE
Starring: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum.
Directed by: John M Chu
Duration: 160 Minutes
Open in New Zealand – 21st November 2024