Back in 2003, I had the pleasure (much like the rest of New York) of getting to see a new musical called Wicked. In the mind of this then-13-year-old, seeing a story about a misunderstood witch from the land of Oz was something that ignited my soul in a way very few pieces of media could. Like other theatre nerds of my age, I was bullied throughout my life and was looking for someone like Elphaba as a comfort character, a figure who could understand the struggles me and my weird friends were going through. And when you pair that emotional connection to said art with incredible music by Stephen Schwartz (Godspell; Pippin), a storyline filled with all the fairy tale drama a teen could desire, and incredible visuals, there’s no denying that your musical is the definition of magical.
L-R: Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda in WICKED, directed by Jon M. Chu. Photo Credit: Universal Pictures. © Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Yet, even at such a young age, I never could have imagined what a movie adaptation of this landmark show could look like on the big screen. That was until this past November, when Universal Pictures finally released (some 20+ years later) the big screen film adaptation of Wicked. Now with the first installment in this epic tale arriving on home video, it’s time to dive deep into what makes Wicked one of the most important movies in musical cinema history and, most importantly, seeing if the 4K release can live up to the grandeur of this blockbuster movie.
L-R: Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Ariana Grande as Glinda, and director Jon M. Chu on the set of WICKED, from Universal Pictures. Photo Credit: Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures. © Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Based on the book by Gregory Maguire, Wicked is the story of two witches: Elphaba, The Wicked Witch (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda, The Good Witch (Ariana Grande), and how they once were friends. From the chaotic beginnings of our green-skinned heroine to the dismantling of the film’s core relationship, Director Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians; In the Heights) goes into meticulous detail about every essential moment in Elphaba and Glinda’s dramatic story. And while many of these tidbits use the musical as a backbone, this first act is stretched out to an almost three-hour runtime so that we can fully grasp both the emotional and political intricacies of this fascinating prequel. If you’re going into Wicked thinking it’s just a whimsical musical for girlie-girls to cry over, you’d be very much mistaken.
Right from the first frame, Chu takes us into the land of Oz in a fashion that is so grand, it feels almost as if you’re on a theme park ride. The lush score by Stephen Schwartz and John Powell (How to Train Your Dragon; Kung Fu Panda) coupled with the vast geographical design of Wicked’s world set the tone of the story perfectly, especially in how this fairy tale is equal parts whimsical and intense. But what really gets you in the zone for what Wicked has in store is the tonal presentation of its opening number, “No One Mourns The Wicked,” a song that simultaneously sets up Elphaba’s backstory and the current political status in Oz while also establishing the emotional journey Glinda will go on in both films, the latter being a magic trick that can only be evoked perfectly by someone as talented as Grande (Don’t Look Up).
T-B: Ethan Slater as Boq and Marissa Bode as Nessarose in WICKED, directed by Jon M. Chu. Photo Credit: Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures. © Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
While many were nervous about her casting in the role, it’s clear that Grande’s Glinda is something uniquely all her own. From the moment she enters the frame, the Nickelodeon alum showcases her musical theatre skills in both her balance of silly whimsy with earnest emotion. And though her take on “Popular” is a comedic tour de force in the vein of Carol Burnett (Annie) and other goofy pop culture titans, it’s the small, intimate moments she has with Erivo (Bad Times at the El Royale) (especially at the OzDust Ballroom) that really perfectly display Grande’s genuine movie magic.
L-R: Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Ariana Grande as Glinda, and director Jon M. Chu on the set of WICKED, from Universal Pictures. Photo Credit: Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures. © Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Similarly, Wicked’s supporting cast all have the exact right sparkle (and mystery) to their portrayals which make them a joy to watch. Jonathan Bailey (Jurassic World Rebirth) as the dashingly handsome Prince Fiyero is the perfect Disney-inspired heartthrob for a romantic triangle. He’s got the charisma that original Broadway cast member Norbert Leo Butz (Wicked; My Fair Lady) nailed back in 2003, while simultaneously bringing his own mature spin to the role. It’s a quality that especially comes through in his moments with Erivo, proving that the crazy chemistry building between them in this first installment is only the beginning of what’s in store for next year’s For Good. Michelle Yeoh (Magnificent Warriors) and Jeff Goldblum (Vibes), along with Peter Dinklage (The Toxic Avenger), all offer a dose of real-world stakes to the fantastical world of Oz, as the adult figures (and Goats) who play a key factor in Elphaba and Glinda’s understandings of the power struggles within Oz.
L-R: Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard of Oz and Michelle Yeoh as Madam Morrible in WICKED, directed by Jon M. Chu. Photo Credit: Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures. © Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Though the true star and standout of this entire ensemble is Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. Not only does her casting highlight an important layer of context within Wicked (especially since she is the first principal Black actor to play the musical role), but Erivo herself delivers a grounded take on the soon-to-be Witch that is the perfect blend of tender and powerful. Obviously, Erivo makes all of the musical sequences her own, but there’s a deep-rooted vulnerability in every note, line, and glance she’s featured in that makes you want to reach out and hug her through the screen. It’s the kind of believability most dramatic actors wish they could achieve in more conventional projects, but Erivo manages to do so with magical ease.
L-R: Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Ariana Grande as Glinda, and director Jon M. Chu on the set of WICKED, from Universal Pictures. Photo Credit: Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures. © Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Credit also needs to be given to original musical book writer Winnie Holzman (Birds of Paradise) and new addition Dana Fox (Cruella), for fleshing out the details of this first installment, to make it worthy of a two-part treatment. From Elphaba’s emotional bond with her bear caretaker to the origins of the mysterious Grimmerie spellbook, these creatives thematically enhance Wicked to an even more sophisticated level, one where its political elements (especially in regards to the role animals play in Ozian society) are pushed to the forefront of the tale to make Elphaba’s emotional turn at the end of “Defying Gravity” even more enriching. And while some Wicked fans feel these additional beats are pointless to the end product, in the view of this writer, they now seem like essential elements to the overall Wicked lore.
But what truly makes Wicked among the greatest movie musicals of all time is how it’s unapologetically proud of its theatrical roots. Chu’s directorial efforts both match the aesthetic scale needed for a story as epic as Wicked while also displaying a deep love for the source material that’s oozing in every frame. From his dedication to the use of practical sets and props to his drive to linger on the quiet, more reserved beats of Elphaba and Glinda’s journey, you can tell that this was a dream project for which his creativity wasn’t restricted. And in an age where many recent directors have poorly adapted other beloved musicals (looking at you, Tom Hooper (Cats)), that’s an accomplishment worth celebrating.
The most impressive thing about this Wicked is the fact that it exists in the first place. In the current Hollywood landscape, studios are terrified of making traditional movie musicals like they once thrived on amid Tinseltown’s Golden Age. Even with hits like the live action Aladdin (2019) and Beauty and the Beast (2017), or even Oscar winners like Les Misérables (2012), Hollywood is still terrified of movie musicals in any capacity. From their marketing to their merchandising to their release strategy and everything in between, they show that they’re convinced that movie musicals are a disease that will always plague their pockets. But Wicked serves as proof that with the right director and creative team, a musical-to-film adaptation can be a genuine blockbuster. You just need to give it the love, attention, and focus that it deserves.
It’s also wonderful to see that the same affection that was given towards Wicked’s theatrical run is replicated on this 4K release. The Dolby Atmos mix is nice and sharp, allowing Stephen Schwartz’s iconic song catalog to come to life in vivid detail, and the final color grading seems even more enchanting than it did theatrically in certain key moments. But, easily, the highlights of this 4K Blu-ray are the delicious bonus features, including two audio commentaries (one featuring Chu and the other Erivo and Grande), some wickedly fun featurettes, deleted/extended scenes, and a Sing-Along version to make all your Broadway dreams come true. And considering the fandom behind Wicked, it’s such a treat to see Universal Home Video put so much attention to detail in these features.
To put it simply, Jon M. Chu’s Wicked is the movie adaptation 13-year-old me always dreamed of. It’s a film that isn’t afraid to make lavish, corny, emotional choices that work in service of the story and wears its green and pink heart proudly on its sleeve. And while some might argue that movie musicals are a thing of the past, Chu and company have proven that the artform is alive and well when under the care of people who appreciate the power of storytelling. Musicals are more than just people abruptly singing in the middle of a story, they’re part of the fabric of pop culture and have the ability to leave an impactful, and magical, legacy for generations to come — which Chu’s Wicked clearly will.
Wicked Special Features*:
- Sing Along – Alternate Feature-Length Version – Rejoicify, it’s your turn to sing your way through Oz! Sing-along to all of your favorite Wicked songs as you join Elphaba and Glinda on their magical journey.
- Ten (10) Deleted and Extended Scenes
- Making Wicked – Return to Oz for a fantastic behind-the-scenes journey with this expansive look inside the characters, choreography, and creativity that make up the movie’s unforgettable world.
- Welcome to Shiz – Unlimited imagination, couture fashion, and spectacular production design come together at Shiz University, providing a place for performers and viewers to be fully immersed in the fantasy. Designed from details in L. Frank Baum’s books, the uniforms, clever contraptions, and circular sets create a sprawling campus where magic feels like an everyday occurrence.
- A Wicked Legacy –Take delight in the cast and filmmakers sharing personal memories of their first encounters with the original Broadway production, and how those lasting connections created emotional experiences while making the movie. Also highlighted are the iconic cameos that pay tribute to the cultural phenomenon that became one of the most popular musicals of all time.
- The Wonderful Wizard – Follow the yellow brick road to Emerald City for an in-depth look at the infamous Wizard of Oz. Inside the palace’s throne room, the Wizard himself, Jeff Goldblum, pulls back the curtain to peer at his character’s magic and mechanics with senior special effects technician Christopher Clarke, who details how the Wizard’s massive robotic head comes to life.
- Feature commentary with director Jon M. Chu
- Feature Commentary with stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande
*Available bonus features dependent on participating retailers
Available on VOD and digital December 31st, 2024.
Available on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD February 4th, 2025.
For more information, head to the official Universal Pictures Wicked website.
Final Score: 4.5 out of 5.
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Categories: Home Release, Home Video, Recommendation, Reviews, streaming
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