Making over $650 million in the box office world-wide, it is safe to say that the “Wicked” adaptation was one of the biggest movies of the year. Aside from its minimal competition, it had sufficient qualities that led to gained interest from many demographics. 

The film released in 2024 is only Act I of the whole story of “Wicked.” This musical is a prequel to the Wizard of Oz, telling the story of Elphaba Thropp (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda Upland (Ariana Grande). Elphaba has been discriminated her whole life due to her green skin. She then attends a school where she meets Glinda. While they disagree at first due to their opposite personalities, a friendship soon grows between them and they learn valuable lessons from each other. The movie goes on to tell the story as to how Elphaba became the Wicked Witch, and Glinda, the Good Witch. 

“Wicked” was one of the most anticipated movies of the year. Fans of the musical were curious to see if the movie adaptation would do it justice. Frankly, I do not know much about the original Broadway hit, but I believe every aspect movie-wise was executed well, whether it be the music, setting, or the characters.

The music was definitely the highlight of the movie, and it is apparent that the actors are professionally trained. Grande and Erivo started their careers on Broadway, and their powerful voices, along with the other actors, tell the story through song in an emotional way. Along with that, the set and effects put into this movie are beautiful. The setting is very colorful and light, which draws the attention of the audience. I liked how the lighting would change as the movie went on. This helped to show how Elphaba’s character is changing. 

Additionally, the way the characters are portrayed is very entertaining. Grande does a great job at making Glinda’s character funny, and lighthearted throughout the movie, while still having depth as well. Erivo really showcases Elphaba’s change in confidence as the movie progresses. Aside from the main two, the supporting characters all have different personalities that add to the entertainment.

Overall, I would rate this movie a 4/5. It is entertaining for all ages, and a fun watch. However, it is long, at about 2 hours 40 minutes, and this is only part one. “Wicked” is a great watch if you are interested in musicals, and the story of the “Wizard of Oz.”