'Wicked: Part One' Review: Why This Film Soars Beyond Expectations

It took 20 years, but Wicked has finally soared from the Broadway stage to the silver screen. The 2024 film adaptation of the musical serves as a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, showing the origins of the Wicked Witch of the West (Elphaba) . Many musical theatre fans see it as more than just a prequel, it’s a coming-of-age tale of friendship, identity, and fighting for what’s right.

Wicked transports you straight into the Land of Oz alongside Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande). This is #TBLBureau’s two-part review of Wicked: Part One. From the breathtaking sets and spellbinding effects to surprise moments, even fans didn’t see coming. WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

Long-time Wicked fan Louie: "Visually stunning and faithful to the broadway show."

The friendship between Elphaba and Glinda is the heart of the movie. (Photo from: facebook.com/wickedmovie)

Adapting a beloved musical for film is no easy task, especially when fans adore the stage version. Fantastical worlds like Oz don’t always translate well to the screen, but Jon M. Chu (director known for Crazy Rich Asians and In the Heights) delivers a ruthlessly faithful adaptation while carefully expanding the lore.

The movie opens just like the Broadway version, with the citizens of Oz celebrating the “liquidation” of Elphaba. As Glinda begins to share their story, it’s clear the film honours the musical's heart and structure. Split into two parts to mirror the Broadway musical's two-act structure, Wicked: Part One sets the stage for Elphaba's transformation into the misunderstood "Wicked Witch of the West."

The movie presents profound themes and moments that resonate deeply with an audience of fans and new watchers alike. Here are five key highlights that make this a must-watch.

1. Wicked will make you cry

Even Ariana and Cynthia were emotional during filming. (Photo from: @wickedmovie)

From Elphaba’s bear nanny showing her more love than her father to singing Defying Gravity. One particularly tear-jerking moment comes during the party scene where Elphaba makes an entrance wearing the witch's hat Glinda gave to her as a practical joke. We see Elphaba stand in the middle of the dance floor, her resilience shining in the face of mockery.

You can’t help but cry the moment Glinda joins her, feeling guilty that she was ever cruel to someone as nice as Elphaba. The happy tears start coming in as the other students join them as Dancing Through Life plays in the background.

2. Elphaba is for the kids who grew up bullied and alone

Elphaba’s journey is as powerful on screen as it is on stage. Born an outsider with her green skin marking her as different, Elphaba has always been ridiculed. From the start, she longs to be seen for who she is, not what she looks like. Her rendition of The Wizard and I captures this yearning beautifully, resonating deeply with anyone who has ever felt “too much,” “too weird,” or “unlikeable.”

You can hear her longing to belong. Her true heart’s desire isn’t for her green skin to become normal but for people to see her for who she truly was and not her colour. Moments like these remind us why Elphaba is a character who stays with us long after the credits roll. We see someone rise above those struggles, even when the world continues to throw stones at them.

3. Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero reminded us of Bridgerton

Jonathan Bailey’s portrayal of Fiyero Tigelaar is charming and layered, with his character starting as shallow but hinting at hidden depth. His chemistry with both Elphaba and Glinda sets the stage for the complex love triangle to come. And yes, if you’re getting Bridgerton déjà vu (handsome man on horseback falling for a strong woman in the woods), you’re not alone.

If we get a dollar for every time Jonathan plays a character who falls in love with a woman in the woods while riding a horse but finds himself in a relationship with someone close to her like a sister or best friend, we’d get two dollars. It isn’t much but it’s weird that it happened twice. Only someone as iconic as him can do that.

4. Defying Gravity lived up to the hype

The best part of Wicked is without a doubt Cynthia Erivo’s performance of the iconic Defying Gravity. This iconic number doesn’t just meet expectations — it shatters them. Compared to the original broadway version, the movie extended the song to over seven minutes. This gives us two extra minutes to witness the emotional crescendo of Elphaba finally embracing her power and vowing to stop the Wizard’s sinister plans.

You can’t help but start crying when she sees her inner child giving her the strength to fly, even if it meant she had to play the villain in someone else’s story. As she declares, “And nobody in all of Oz / No wizard that there is or was / Is ever gonna bring me down,” you can’t help but root for her. Because let’s be real — she was never truly wicked.

5. Ariana Grande was born to play Glinda

Her portrayal of Glinda is nothing short of enchanting, blending light-hearted charm with unexpected emotional depth. Watching her bring Galinda’s evolution into Glinda the Good Witch to life — while navigating her complicated love-hate relationship with Elphaba — is pure magic.

Her Glinda oozes "main character energy," basking in her role as the queen bee of Shiz University. She added a bit of nuance to her character, as seen at the beginning of the movie, where her expression conveyed both grief and anger toward her former best friend. It’s exciting to see how Ariana will translate these complex emotions in Wicked: Part Two.

EXTRA MAGICAL: A cameo that had fans rejoicifying

The OG Elphaba (Idina Menzel) and Glinda (Kristin Chenoweth). (Photo from: @kchenoweth)

Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth made a delightful cameo as a cheeky nod to their past roles. Together they sing a new verse in One Short Day, telling the story behind the wonderful Wizard of Oz. Both playfully fought for the spotlight in Emerald City with Idina’s character belting out her signature Defying Gravity riff.

Dressed in over-the-top pink and purple gowns, they also shared a moment with Cynthia and Ariana, symbolically passing the torch to the next generation. It’s a sweet surprise that feels like a love letter to fans of the original production.

Wicked newbie Janne: "Immersive storytelling, but the casting of the Wizard felt weak."

Coming into the movie theatre, I only had my knowledge of the popular songs from the musical and the old Wizard of Oz movie starring Judy Garland. Despite this, it was easy to follow Elphaba’s story and immerse myself in the grand land of Oz. I left the theatre with a lighter heart, especially after Cynthia Erivo’s spellbinding Defying Gravity number.

However, if you’re a newbie like me, there might have been some confusifying things for you, so let’s zoom into them.

Let us cook: was Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard really the best choice?

Like what has been mentioned above, it felt like Ariana Grande was born to play Glinda. Her past as the Cat from the Nickelodeon show Victorious as well as her pop star portfolio faded into the background as she let the character of Glinda shine on screen. 

However, we can’t say the same for Jeff Goldblum. We were already enchanted by the fantasy world of Oz, and our spirits were soaring during One Short Day. However, it felt as if we were suddenly brought right back down to earth with his scene as the Wizard. All the songs were powerful in their own way, but his performance of A Sentimental Man fell flat. (If you’d like to take a quick pee break, you might want to do it in this part!)

In hindsight, it makes sense that his scene was lacklustre compared to the others because really, the Wizard has no power. However, he’s supposed to be a charismatic con man manipulating Elphaba to join his side, which we felt Jeff Goldblum didn’t lean into. Indeed, Jeff Goldbum is a charming actor, but we would’ve loved to see him channel the cold-blooded and more sinister side of the Wizard of Oz in a refreshing, ‘non-Jeff Goldblum’ manner. 

What happens at the end of Wicked: Part One?

Towards the end of the movie, Elphaba relinquishes her desire to change the colour of her skin. She discovers that she wants something more — the freedom and safety of the talking animals in Oz. She also realises the true and power-hungry nature of the wizard who only wanted to use her so he could open the Grimmerie spellbook. Turns out, he needed an army of spies who could report to him about rebellious behaviour in Oz. She decides not to join him and flies to the “western sky”.

Nessarose’s father dies of shame after hearing the deceitful news spread throughout Oz that Elphaba is now public enemy No. 1 and labelled as the “wicked witch”. Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) — who previously did not care one bit about Glinda — now sees her as an asset in her plan to get Elphaba back. 

We also get a shot of Prince Fiyero riding on horseback with a concerned look on his face. It appears he might be on his way to Elphaba. Will he join her side? We’ll have to wait and see it in the next instalment. This brings us to our next question…

Why was the film divided into two parts?

This has been the trend in Hollywood, so unfortunately, we will have to wait for a whole year for Wicked: Part Two. This decision becomes justified as the audience won’t feel that the movie is too rushed. As a newbie, I also personally enjoyed discovering the easter eggs and watching the behind-the-scenes videos afterwards. We bet you’ll enjoy diving into more of the world of Oz while waiting for the next one. 

Final thoughts: Is Wicked: Part One worth it?

Wicked: Part One is a visually stunning triumph that balances faithfulness to the Broadway show while showing the nuances of its characters. It’s a must-watch for fans and newcomers alike. With the stage now set, Part Two promises to take us deeper into the magic, heartbreak, and triumph of Elphaba and Glinda’s journey. Prepare to laugh, cry, and defy gravity, because this trip to Oz is nothing short of wonderful.

Whether you’re a devoted fan or someone who’s only sung along to the soundtrack, Wicked: Part one is the perfect introduction to the world of Oz. Grab your best friends and some boxes of tissues to watch Wicked: Part One while it's still in theatres.

When will Wicked: Part Two be released?

Wicked: Part Two, slated for a 2025 release, delves deeper into the complex friendship between Glinda and Elphaba as they face powerful forces threatening to tear them apart. Fans are eagerly anticipating how director Jon M. Chu will bring the musical’s dramatic second act to life on the big screen. Who will play Dorothy? Where did Fiyero go? Will they add new plot lines to the second act?

There are so many unanswered questions. Wicked: Part Two will be out on 21 November 2025. 

Stay tuned for the latest updates on this highly-anticipated sequel.

This article was first published on 26 November 2024. Last updated: 2 December 2024.

(Cover photos from: @cynthiaerivo, @wickedmovie)

Looking for something to watch that gives you all the feels? Check out our review of What Comes After Love.