It's finally time to head down the yellow brick road or hop on a train to Emerald City with the release of the highly-anticipated musical 'Wicked'.
Directed by Jon M Chu and starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, the film debuted worldwide today, November 22 and those who caught the early screenings are already raving about the film.
Based on the beloved Broadway production, the film is already being hailed as a 'masterpiece', with fans calling it the 'best stage-to-screen adaptation' of all time. Social media has been flooded with glowing reviews from early viewers for the film, its director and especially the lead actresses, tipping both as early Oscar favourites.
A fan wrote, "Wicked is one of the best musicals I’ve seen. It felt like a complete film without having to rely on pt 2 that much. Ariana and Cynthia steal the spotlight, the production design is Oscar-worthy, and the 3rd act had me in chills. Go see it.”
Another said in their review of the film, “Wicked was genuinely one of the best movies I’ve seen in a long time. For something to be so long but so engaging the entire time... like you wouldn’t even think almost 3 hours went by. I’m so glad this was split into 2 parts because I NEED MORE!”
Giving a detailed analysis of the film, another said, “From a technical point of view - It is almost flawless. Every shot is made with purpose. The level of polish and attention to detail is impressive - the set design, costumes, SFX, VFX, music & choreography is nearly perfect. The rather packed 2hr 40 min runtime flies by with a BANGER final act ending on a ‘To be continued.’ If you like Wicked, you’re in heaven because the movie is great.”
Best film
Fans have lauded Director Chu’s vision and knack of balancing the 'grandeur of cinema' with the 'intimacy of Broadway'. Many have also taken note of the film’s production design, costumes, and visual effects and dubbed it as “Oscar-worthy”. While some have pointed out that the nearly 3-hour run-time is a tad long for a musical, others claimed that it felt 'effortless' thanks to its engaging storytelling, captivating visuals and performances.
“Wicked was ABSOLUTELY PERFECT! The best musical adaptation I’ve ever seen that is somehow better than the stage production. With that being said, that was one of the best movies I’ve ever seen,” read one review.
Another said, “Hands down, the best film of the year! Please watch Wicked in cinemas for the complete experience. Director Jon M. Chu embraces everything that makes musicals great, delivering an adaptation that soars among the best of them.”
With these early audience reactions, and going by the critical acclaim, 'Wicked' seems poised to dominate the upcoming awards season. The film even got an impressive 99% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, which might indicate that Cynthia and Ariana's performances could make them front-runners for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress categories in the upcoming award shows. Additionally, the film’s technical brilliance could make it a contender for multiple categories, including production design, original score, and visual effects.
Cheering on the film's team, another said, “Believe the hype! #Wicked is perfect! #ArianaGrande, #CynthiaErivo, and #JonathanBailey are a powerhouse! The songs, production, and cast are huge and immersive! One of the best films of the year! Definitely gonna win lots of awards!”
“This film is the greatest film. Give Ariana and the entire Wicked cast the awards and nominations that they all deserve. This film had so many mixed emotions. I sang. I laughed. I cried. I will definitely be seeing it again,” read a tweet.
“It’s the greatest film of the 21st century. Cynthia & Ariana are definitely getting their EGOTs from this film. I am so damn proud of the entire cast because they did this franchise so much justice but also made it their own. 100/100!” said another positive review.
For now, 'Wicked' is shaping up to be not only the year’s best film but also a defining moment for Broadway-to-Hollywood adaptations. The film will clash at the box office with Ridley Scott's 'Gladiator 2'. The clash has given way to the 'Glicked' frenzy, much like the 'Barbenhemer' (Barbie and Oppenheimer' mania which gripped the box office in 2023. The double-release is currently tracking a combined North American debut in the $165 million range. Reports indicate that 'Wicked' will likely cast its spell with a $100 million opening against 'Gladiator II' which is reportedly eyeing a $65 million range.
