Long-awaited film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical is an enchanting ride that (mostly) defies the odds

After more than 20 years of captivating audiences on stage, Wicked arrives on the big screen as the first half of an ambitious two-part adaptation, and I’m happy to report that Jon M. Chu’s direction largely sticks the landing.

Few adaptations come loaded with as much anticipation—and trepidation—as Wicked Part 1. The stakes were high for many Wicked fans, including myself, because it’s more than just a musical; it is a cultural touchstone. I grew up watching The Wizard of Oz every holiday, saw Wicked in New York City as my first Broadway show, and listened obsessively to the original cast recording, so the idea of adapting it to film was thrilling — but fraught with peril.

I know many in the local theater community shared this mix of emotions, as John Moore of the Denver Gazette documented, noting fears of a “pop-ified” adaptation or an overreliance on CGI. Thankfully, Wicked Part 1 is a mostly enchanting trip to Oz, even if the yellow brick road isn’t without bumps.

Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible in ‘Wicked’ | Universal Pictures

Splitting the emerald tale: A necessary evil?

Let’s address the most controversial aspect of this adaptation upfront: splitting Wicked into two films. When the title card reading “Part 1” appeared about 10 minutes into the film, my companion whispered to me, “What the fuck? We aren’t getting the full story?” To which I had to whisper back a defeated, “Yes.”

In fairness to my friend (and anyone else now learning it is two parts) the marketing has not been particularly forthcoming about the two-part structure, so I figured it would be best to get it out of the way now. On its face, it feels like a cynical cash grab by Universal Pictures. But the decision to split the story allows the film to spend more time on character development and world-building, creating a richer Oz than we’ve ever seen.

Yes, it’s frustrating, but this “intermission” between installments offers a prolonged experience akin to a theater production’s anticipation — if Universal can sustain that excitement for another year. While the nearly three-hour runtime covers only the first act of the stage musical, from Elphaba’s (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda’s (Ariana Grande) time at Shiz University through Elphaba’s soaring “Defying Gravity” transformation, it rarely drags.

For the uninitiated, Wicked Part 1 focuses on Elphaba, a green-skinned young woman who arrives at Shiz University and quickly clashes with the popular and ambitious Glinda. Despite their rocky start, the two form a complex friendship, shaped by mutual challenges and ambitions. When Elphaba’s magical abilities come to the attention of Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) and, later, the mysterious Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum), she finds herself at a moral crossroads.

The tension between her desire to fight injustice and Glinda’s pursuit of fame culminates in a spectacular confrontation during “Defying Gravity,” where Elphaba rejects authority and quite literally rises above. This moment, both iconic and defining, serves as a dramatic cliffhanger that sets the stage for the story’s darker second half.

Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda in ‘Wicked’ | Universal Pictures

Building an expansive, cinematic Oz

Visually, Chu’s adaptation dazzles, capturing the technicolor wonder and whimsy of Oz. Trailers initially raised concerns of a washed-out, CGI-heavy film, but in theaters, the color grading shimmered with life. From Munchkinland’s kaleidoscopic burst of hues in “No One Mourns the Wicked” to the lush greens and glowing yellows of Oz’s streets during “One Short Day,” the world feels immersive and tangible.

While I feared the usage of CGI would strip away the magic of live theater, Chu strikes a careful balance of practical and computer-generated effects to create richly textured environments like Munchkinland and Shiz’s sprawling campus. Special praise must go to the costume department, whose designs breathe life into Oz’s fantastical populace — Glinda’s ever-changing, jaw-dropping ensembles alone deserve awards attention.

Chu’s camera choreography works seamlessly with these designs, delivering long tracking shots and creative framing transforming every musical number into a cinematic spectacle. “What is This Feeling?” becomes a playful montage of Elphaba and Glinda navigating campus life, while “Dancing Through Life” transforms into a sweeping sequence that moves from library to courtyard to Oz Dust ballroom.

These cinematic flourishes ground the characters’ journeys while offering new delights for long-time fans. However, the film stumbles a bit with “Defying Gravity.” It’s staged well — more elaborate than the original — but the climactic tension of Elphaba’s ascension can’t quite replicate the thrill of seeing an actress levitate in front of a live audience.

L to R: Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande with Director Jon M. Chu on the set of ‘Wicked’ | Universal Pictures

The green and glittering standouts

Casting was a major point of contention among fans, but luckily both Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo rose to the occasion. Grande is a revelation as Glinda, leaning into the character’s bubbly exterior while hinting at the complexities beneath. She nails “Popular” with effortless charisma and surprising nuance, as well as the character’s more introspective moments. I would not be surprised if Grande received a (well-deserved) Academy Award nomination for her performance.

Meanwhile, Erivo’s Elphaba offers a grounded foil, shining most brightly in solos like “The Wizard and I.” Her arc is incomplete by nature of the split, but her quiet determination and moments of vulnerability leave you eager to see more. While Glinda gets a more complete arc in Part 1 Elphaba’s full transformation is clearly reserved for the second film.

Jeff Goldblum’s Wizard, though entertaining, struggles vocally in “A Sentimental Man,” a simplified number to accommodate his limitations. Michelle Yeoh’s Madame Morrible oozes sinister intrigue, and Jonathan Bailey’s Fiyero shows promise as he begins to unravel, though his character’s true growth awaits the next installment. Ethan Slater brings welcome energy to Boq, but Marissa Bode’s Nessarose is bland and underutilized.

Mixed success with new elements

While Wicked Part 1 faithfully adapts most of the musical’s beats, a few additions fall flat. Pfannee (Bowen Yang) and ShenShen (Bronwyn James), plucked from Maguire’s book, are given more lines, but their scenes drag without bringing much to the table. Keala Settle’s Miss Coddle, a new character created for the film to attend to the students at Shiz, is similarly forgettable and feels like an unnecessary detour.

Some of the more intriguing aspects of Maguire’s novel, such as deeper political machinations or complex backstories, are left unexplored — a missed opportunity for those of us who appreciate the book’s darker edges. However, the film makes room for small but significant additions, such as a stronger emphasis on Animal rights and cameos from Broadway’s Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel in “One Short Day.” Their apperances provide a joyous passing of the torch moment from one generation of Elphaba and Glinda to another.

The Emerald City in ‘Wicked’ | Universal Pictures

An imperfect but heartfelt adaptation

Wicked Part 1 could have easily been a disaster. Adaptations of beloved musicals are tricky, and expectations for this film were sky-high. Yet Chu has, against the odds, delivered a respectful and often exhilarating take that builds on the stage show. Sure, a few elements feel extraneous, and breaking the story into two parts remains contentious. But if the goal was to enchant a new generation while honoring the past, Wicked Part 1 largely succeeds.

All in all, Wicked Part 1 is a testament to the power of adaptation done (mostly) right — a captivating spectacle that honors the heart of its source material while daring to reach for more. For theatre fans, it’s a chance to relive the magic in a different light. For newcomers, it’s a lush, engrossing introduction. And for everyone else? Well, consider this a spell worth casting over your holiday viewing list. Just be prepared to wait for the rest of the story.

As the curtain falls on this first act, my hope is that Part 2 dives even deeper into Elphaba’s transformation, gives weight to Glinda’s moral reckoning, and continues to explore the darker political undercurrents Maguire’s book so boldly tackled. If Chu and company can maintain their balance of respect for the original and bold reinvention, then Wicked Part 2 just might defy gravity —and all expectations — once again.