I Liked The Wicked Movie A Lot Better Than The Broadway Show, And There Are A Few Reasons Why

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As a long-time musical enthusiast who has seen countless productions of Wicked both on stage and screen, I must say that the 2023 film adaptation left me utterly spellbound! Having been fortunate enough to witness different actresses bring the iconic roles of Elphaba and Glinda to life on Broadway, I can confidently state that Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande have truly outshone them all.

Every year, my wife and I used to catch at least three Broadway productions, as my affection for them runs deep – even before we started having children.

Among the shows I watched, undeniably one that caught my eye was “Wicked”. After all, who could resist? In fact, I had the chance to watch it not once but twice – once before my kids and once afterwards. And truthfully, it’s… alright. It doesn’t quite reach the heights of “Miss Saigon” for me. So when I heard that “Wicked” was going to be a movie, I thought I’d merely enjoy it as I did with the Broadway production.

Indeed, the Wizard of Oz film is simply astonishing! And let me tell you, I’ve come to grasp why so many adore this tale now. While it’s one thing to appreciate both the stage play and the movie, like my colleague Alexandra Ramos does, to merely enjoy the play and utterly adore the movie? That’s a whole different story! Here’s what I believe makes the film so extraordinary.

First Off, The Setting Of Wicked Always Felt Too Big For The Stage

As a gaming enthusiast stepping into the magical world of Broadway’s Wicked, what truly caught my eye (and not just the colossal dragon), was when Glinda made her grand entrance on a massive, ornate wheel. It took me a moment or two to grasp, “Ah, this is meant to be her bubble.

As an ardent admirer of “The Wizard of Oz” franchise, I was able to piece things together, but when I took my kids to see it as a live musical on Broadway, my daughter whispered to me, “Mom, why is she wearing that?” Naturally, I had to clarify the situation for her. It’s worth noting that the Broadway production of “Wicked” requires a bit more imagination in certain aspects than many other Broadway plays do.

To put it simply, I must give praise to those who created the Broadway show as it was no easy task. Yet, personally, I felt underwhelmed by Wicked due to the fact that I’ve read all of the Oz books. My mental image of Oz is grand, and unfortunately, the stage production didn’t live up to that grandeur in my eyes.

In my opinion, the movie portrays it so effectively that I advise those unfamiliar with the tale to bypass the stage play entirely and opt for watching the film instead.

From the burning of Elphaba’s effigy in the beginning, to the great soaring moment toward the end, I truly believe that the film captured the full imagination of Oz, whereas the stage production just kind of touched upon it. Again, this is nobody’s fault, but I think that Oz outside of the books needs to be on a screen. The scale needed is just too big for the stage.

I Also Think The Animal Subplot Works So Much Better With Actual Animals

From my perspective, what truly sets the movie version of “Wicked” apart is the inclusion of an animal subplot. In this captivating tale, animals such as Doctor Dillamond, a wise-talking goat and Elphaba’s favorite teacher, are gradually losing their ability to speak. This enchanting addition not only adds depth to the story but also serves to further humanize certain characters, making it even more engaging for viewers like me.

In truth, I’ve never had the chance to read “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Witch of the West,” which serves as the basis for both the play and film. Consequently, I find myself perplexed about the concept of animals losing their ability to speak since there’s a very vocal chicken named Ballina in later Oz books by L. Frank Baum. However, let me move on. The animal storyline is well executed in the play, but it’s significantly more impactful in the movie.

The reason it’s so unsettling is that the film portrays other animals seeming to worry about the unfolding events. This adds an extra layer of distress. In addition, the character portraying the “goat” in the play is a bipedal actor, and with all the makeup, he looks more like a character from a werewolf movie, albeit with horns instead of fur.

Instead of using human actors dressed as animals, it’s far more impactful to have computer-generated animals with four legs portraying characters concerned about their future in the film. This approach creates a deeper emotional connection.

The Movie, Being A Part One, Feels Like It Has More Room To Breathe Than The Stage Production

Some folks have mentioned that the film adaptation of Wicked clocks in at an extended 2 hours and 40 minutes, which seems rather lengthy, especially considering it’s only PART 1. When you compare it to the entire Broadway musical, which is just 2 hours and 45 minutes long, it does appear they elongated the movie’s runtime quite a bit.

On the contrary, I strongly feel otherwise. Similar to what Riley Utley expressed in her glowing review of Wicked, this adaptation might very well be ranked among the top contemporary film musicals of all time.

A significant aspect of the film version is that it allows for more expansive portrayal. For instance, in the powerful song “The Wizard and I,” it’s not just Elphaba standing with a suitcase and singing as on Broadway. Rather, we witness Elphaba gazing at colorful glass, suggesting what she could look like without her green skin, and then rushing through Shiz before ultimately exiting the school grounds and delivering her final note atop a mountain’s edge.

Stepping into the Emerald City with Elphaba and Glinda feels like stepping into another world, one that’s breathtakingly beautiful and pulse-racingly exciting. Every corner reveals something magical, making each moment there truly unforgettable.

In all aspects, the film seemed to embody an epic tale that the Broadway production simply couldn’t rival.

I Liked The Actors Who Played Elphaba And Glinda In The Two Productions I’ve Seen, But I Much Prefer Cynthia Erivo And Ariana Grande

To put it plainly, it’s important to note that performers on Broadway are incredibly gifted compared to most people globally. However, I didn’t get the chance to witness the original stage production starring Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, whose vocal performances I am quite familiar with. Instead, I saw a different cast, who were undeniably talented, but I can’t help but feel that they might not have matched the unique talents of Menzel or Chenoweth.

Indeed, I found myself utterly captivated by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s performances as Glinda and Elphaba respectively during the show I attended. It was truly a blessing that no one in the audience attempted to overshadow their exceptional voices with singing along, for it would have been a pity if their enchanting vocals were lost amidst the crowd.

Not only do Erivo and Grande excel in their acting roles, but they also have remarkable singing abilities. Their voices are so captivating that I find myself favoring them over the familiar voices from the Broadway soundtracks.

Indeed, Erivo and Grande didn’t just mimic the original voices of Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth from the Broadway productions. They infused their unique styles into the characters, making their performances stand out for me compared to what I witnessed in the theater before. Both actresses brought something fresh and captivating that truly elevated their roles. Plus, it’s a treat to see Menzel and Chenoweth themselves make appearances in the film!

Additionally, it’s beneficial because I could clearly make out both of Erivo’s and Grande’s faces, unlike my high-up seats at Broadway where I needed binoculars, but regardless, films always seem to offer an exceptional viewing experience no matter where you’re seated.

And Jeff Goldblum Is Just 100% Perfect Casting As The Wizard

In the future, it’s likely that Jeff Goldblum’s exceptional performance as The Wizard will be among his most memorable roles. Initially, his casting wasn’t something I felt was necessary, but after seeing him in action, I can’t imagine anyone else playing the part so convincingly.

To tell you the truth, my preferred track from this collection isn’t “Popular” or “Defying Gravity.” Instead, it’s “A Sentimental Man.” I didn’t realize how much I was yearning for Goldblum to sing that song until I finally listened to him perform it.

Goldblum consistently brings an intriguing and endearing quality to every film he’s a part of, making it perfectly fitting that we find him playing the role of The Charming Wizard (a character who is expected to be appealing). This casting choice resonates on multiple layers.

Anticipating the ominous twist ahead, I was prepared to witness it. However, I wasn’t expecting Goldblum to portray his character with an almost reassuring demeanor, more like “I’m here to aid you all,” instead of the sinister vibe I saw in the two plays I watched. Yet, it works wonderfully! The unexpected twist adds charm to the character rather than making him appear malicious, which I find delightful.

This is why I prefer the movie to the stage production. For more news on all things Wicked, be sure to swing by here often!

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2024-12-09 02:38