FILM REVIEW

Movie Review | Wicked-Defying Gravity

Green is a perfectly acceptable color

Galinda and Elphaba become unlikely friends. Image credit Universal Pictures

The Great Oz has spoken and Wicked (Part 1) is a megahit, with 465.2 million dollars in box office green as of this writing. Advertisers have jumped on board with pink vs. green Wicked cross promotions, hoping to ride the film’s coattails like the Barbie phenomenon. The film is good, though I don’t expect it to beat the breakaway hit Barbie ($1.446 billion).

The film takes its subject matter from the book written by Gregory Maguire and the musical version of the Broadway hit Wicked. Audience members introduced to the theatrical musical may be disappointed in the film, as it is always hard to change your impression of your first love. But I felt this film stands on its own.

How long will the friendship last as Elphaba has caught the eye of Galinda’s prince charming Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey)? Image credit Universal Pictures

Having no preconceived knowledge of the musical, I went to the film without expectations. I wanted to experience the film itself. Does it tell the story for those of us not familiar with Wicked? Does it bring emotional and technical triumph to the audience as the long-running Broadway show?