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<\/p>\nWicked: Part 1 is a grand spectacle. This extended musical – of which this 160-minute epic is only the first of two parts – looks magnificent on the big screen. Its colourful and captivating exterior underpins a dark side.<\/p>\n
It appears no expense has been spared to breathe life anew into the beloved stage musical, which debuted on Broadway in 2003. The musical was, in turn, an adaptation of Gregory Maguire\u2019s 1995 novel, based around the untold story of the witches of Oz. It all leads back of course to L. Frank Baum\u2019s enduring classic, The Wizard of Oz, first published in 1900. Baum\u2019s story became the much-loved movie The Wizard of Oz (1939).<\/p>\n
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The timeframe for this film pre-dates the events of The Wizard of Oz. Wicked: Part 1 focuses on the unlikely friendship between two diametrically opposed women, with conflicting ideals. One is shunned, and the other adored.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s also an origin story of how Elphaba (Cynthis Erivo) became the Wicked Witch of the West. She was born green and ostracised by her parents, who favoured her younger sister, Nessarose (Marissa Bode). Elphaba accompanies Nessarose to Shiz university, where Elphaba\u2019s yet-to-be-honed magical powers are immediately recognised by Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh). She is the headmistress, who doubles as the Dean of Sorcery. Madame Morrible pulls a swifty on the fawning but popular student Galinda (Ariana Grande). Against her wishes, the self-absorbed Galinda is forced to room with Elphaba.<\/p>\n
She and Elphaba clash \u2026 badly, before their relationship undergoes a metamorphosis. Elphaba is unhappy with forced changes at the university that see the demonising of clever, speaking animals who teach there. Madame Morrible begins personally training Elphaba. After witnessing her development, the Dean of Sorcery secures her a meeting with the kingdom\u2019s ruler, the Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum). Only his reception is hardly what Elphaba was expecting.\u00a0 She exposes him \u2026 and all hell breaks loose.<\/p>\n
Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians) helms this movie adaptation, which deals with the abuse of power, bullying and girl-power.<\/p>\n
Cynthis Erivo is particularly appealing as the spurned, intelligent Elphaba. She has a dignity about her, piecing her way through the challenges Elphaba faces. Ariana Grande brings a Mean Girls streak to her buoyant representation of Galinda\/Glinda. She revels in the vacuousness of her persona, and is gifted a series of choice one-liners. As Madame Morrible, Michelle Yeoh cuts a potent and controlling figure. Jonathan Bailey makes for a dashing and playful Prince Fiyero. A significant touchstone is Peter Dinklage\u2019s vocalisation of the professorial goat Dr Dillamond. His interactions with Elphaba are among the film\u2019s many highlights. The ageless Jeff Goldblum readily assumes the mantle of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, intent on faking it to make it.<\/p>\n