Wickedhas been a well-loved chapter inThe Wizard of Ozuniverse sinceGregory Maguire’s novel was first published in 1995.
Although the movie is a strong adaptation of thestage musicaloverall, it falls short in several important ways.
The movie misses key opportunities to highlight the most important elements of the musical.
Image via Universal Pictures
The first of a two-part feature film adaptation of the Broadway musical.
A trip to the theater to seeWickedis a once-in-a-lifetime eventfor many.
…From a time perspective, the movie requires a more significant commitment.
The story of how a green-skinned woman framed by the Wizard of Oz becomes the Wicked Witch of the West. The first of a two-part feature film adaptation of the Broadway musical.
7There’s a Lack of Intimacy in the Movie
The theater offers a unique atmosphere.
Wickedis a deeply intimate storyat its core.
SinceWickedis a movie, it is limited in how well it is able to elicit reactions from the audience.
There is a closeness that comes from seeing the set and performers close up.
The musical offers unvarnished performances that might be imperfect.
This gives the stage musical the edge over a movie that has been edited and rehearsed to perfection.
As a musical,Wickedis known for its captivating setsthat have thrilled audiences since it first hit the stage.
The practicalities of stagingWickedare part of what makes it so enthralling for fans.
Since each production of theWickedmusical is so distinct, fans can expect a different look every time.
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By contrast,much of theWickedmovie comes across as generic, even at its most magical.
There are some beautiful set pieces in theWickedmovie, to be sure.
Unfortunately, there is no hiding the fact that this version ofWickedis a movie.
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It’s simply not possible to have a living, breathing set in this medium.
Like the characters, the set pieces ofWickedthe movie come across as too perfect for their own good.
5Elphaba Gets Lost in the Movie
She’s given more space in the musical.
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Cynthia Erivo was an undisputed highlight ofWickedthe movie as Elphaba.
This is unfortunate because the stage musical allows Elphaba to shine completely without getting lost in the shuffle.
In the stage musical, the main focus is on Elphaba and how she reckons with her own morality.
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By contrast, the movie mainly shows Elphaba in relation to those around her, particularly her friend Glinda.
Unfortunately, this is another example of the movie falling short by limiting itself.
Having a single version of Elphaba and Glinda limitsWickedthe movie and takes away from the universality of this story.
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Some of this power is lost by having a single pair of actresses play these characters.
One key element ofWickedis its commentary on censorshipthrough the animal characters.
This gives his character a complexity that doesn’t exist in the musical, where he is only mentioned.
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…His presence is an essential part of Elphaba’s character development.
NEXT:The 10 Best Cynthia Erivo Movies and Shows, Ranked
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