If you’ve seen the musical Wicked, you’re familiar with the powerful music, haunting plot twists, and gravity-defying magic of the beautifully crafted story following the lives of Elphaba and Glinda. Throughout the course of the musical, which takes place prior to the events of the classic film The Wizard of Oz, the two girls grow into their iconic roles of The Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good. On November 22, 2024, this beloved story was released onto the big screen in a movie adaptation that can be described as nothing short of breathtaking. Opening to a record-breaking $112 million its first weekend, the movie has already captivated a massive audience. Directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, Wicked: Part One is definitely worth a trip to the movie theater.

For those unfamiliar with the original Broadway musical, Wicked follows the story of Glinda and Elphaba, two starkly different students that meet at Shiz University. Elphaba is a girl who, because of events prior to her mother’s pregnancy, has green skin and magical powers. She first arrives at Shiz to accompany her younger sister Nessa Rose, but is invited to stay and receive an education after the University’s professor of sorcery notices her magical abilities. From the very moment she steps on campus, it’s clear that Elphaba is an outcast. The other students gasp and whisper about her whenever she walks by, and she is left hated and friendless. Glinda, on the other hand, comes from a loving, wealthy family, and is immediately adored by the Shiz student population. Her self absorption and thirst for popularity makes her a complete opposite from Elphaba, and the two develop a strong loathing for each other as soon as they are forced to share a room.

However, as they spend more and more time together, the girls begin to form an unlikely but unbreakable bond. Because of their newfound friendship, Elphaba is accepted by her peers, and Glinda receives the opportunity to study sorcery. It seems that all is going well for the two, but Elphaba soon uncovers a dark conspiracy that everyone else seems to ignore. The animals of the land, once seen as equals to people, have begun to disappear and lose their ability to speak. Elphaba begins to ask questions about what is really going on.

Eventually, Elphaba receives an invitation to meet the esteemed Wizard of Oz, something she has dreamed of for as long as she can remember. She gladly accepts the invitation and travels to the Emerald City with Glinda by her side. But upon meeting the wizard, it’s clear that he is not what he seems. Soon, Glinda’s unquenchable thirst for popularity and Elphaba’s resolution to do the right thing send them in opposite directions, and the two begin to fill their roles as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West. The movie ends on a nail biting cliffhanger that occurs just before intermission in the Broadway show.

I had the opportunity to see Wicked the day it came out, and I went with high expectations. As a lover of musical theater, I’ve seen the original musical twice, and I know every song on the soundtrack by heart. Throughout the movie, I was continually impressed by how true to the Broadway musical the film was. No songs or dialogue were cut, and the movie honored every single detail and easter egg that the Broadway version first offered. This is a stark contrast from most musicals adapted into the big screen, and I found it to be a breath of fresh air compared to movies that shy away from the musical theater aspect of their stories. Watching Wicked feels like watching something true and authentic that doesn’t remove any details simply to shorten run time.

That being said, the movie is very long. Clocking in at 2 hours and 40 minutes, it is easily one of the longest movies released this year, and it only covers the first half of the musical. If you’re not a fan of movies with lengthy run time, this one may not be for you. However, I respect director Jon M. Chu for choosing to include every element of the Broadway story. It adds a magic to the film that can’t be found anywhere else besides the original musical itself. The only aspects that are altered are the extension of certain scenes in order to add more depth, which is done masterfully.

I also found the actor’s performances to be amazing. Powerhouse Cynthia Erivo plays her role as Elphaba incredibly well, delivering her lines with eloquence and emotion that will tug at your heartstrings. Her rich voice, despite contrasting with the traditional vocal style of Idina Menzel in the original musical, helps to develop the songs for a more contemporary audience. Ariana Grande plays the beloved Glinda with so much humor and grace that it’s impossible for audiences not to fall in love with the character. Both women have incredible voices, and their onscreen chemistry adds yet another layer of greatness to the film.

Overall, Wicked offers a dazzling cinematic experience fit for all ages, and is definitely a must-see if you’re a fan of the Broadway musical. The relatable message, tear-inducing emotion, star-studded cast, and breathtaking cinematography all blend together to create a colorful exploration of the world of Oz. The themes of love, friendship, and desire are weaved beautifully through the narrative, and will leave audience members with tear-filled eyes and a realization that there is nothing in this world more important than staying true to yourself. My only frustration is the separation of the movie into two parts, but it was necessary in order to include every single piece of Wicked magic. It’ll be a long wait for Part Two, but we can only hope that it lives up to the high standards set by Part One.