If you’ve been anywhere near social media in the past few months, you’ve probably noticed that something decidedly Wicked has been brewing. The latest adaptation of Gregory Maguire’s novel-turned-Broadway-sensation has finally “Defied Gravity” and landed in theaters, bringing a fresh perspective to this beloved tale of green-skinned witches and yellow brick roads displayed over 2 hours and 40 minutes. Wicked (2024), with all its hidden easter eggs, explains a lot of details behind the original Wizard of Oz. Like a spell with multiple ingredients, the story of Elphaba and Glinda has now been brewed three different ways: as Maguire’s thought-provoking novel, as a Broadway spectacular, and now as a star-studded film. Each version adds its own special touch to this “Popular” story.
The journey from Maguire’s darker, more political novel to the Broadway adaptation already involved significant changes. While the book delves deep into Oz’s social and political landscape, examining themes of power and corruption through a sophisticated lens, the musical lightened the mood while keeping the core themes of friendship, prejudice, and personal identity. The story is entertaining and fun but also shows viewers the deeper implications of necessary action in the face of blatant injustice. This new movie strikes its own balance, taking advantage of cinema’s unique abilities to bring Oz to life in ways that neither page nor stage could achieve, tailored to reach new generations as well.
In particular, Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba brings her own unique interpretation to the role, proving there are still new ways to paint this green character. The raw power she brings to “No Good Deed” might just make you forget every other version you’ve heard. Grande’s Glinda provides the perfect counterbalance, and their chemistry pops off the screen like a perfectly timed spell. According to Tik Tok edits, the actors seem to have a wonderful relationship off set as well. Their take on the film manages to be both nostalgic and fresh. It takes familiar songs and moments but presents them through a modern lens, proving that good stories, like the best magic, never really get old. Critics shared that what really got them, was how they managed to make the story feel so relevant to today. The themes about being different and standing up for what you believe in hit even harder in our status quo.
Not everyone has been enchanted by this adaptation, however. Critics have pointed to its substantial runtime and the decision to split the story into two parts as major drawbacks. Some viewers found scenes unnecessarily prolonged, diluting the original’s impact and pacing with modernized quips instead. Others have even suggested that the film leans too heavily into showcasing its stars’ musical talents rather than capturing the essence of what made “Wicked” so compelling in the first place: essentially complaining that the movie felt more like an adaptation of the musical, rather than the original novel. Thus, to purists who enjoy the OGs, the theatrical adaptation’s tight narrative and focused messaging seem somewhat diffused across the film’s magical looking scenes.
These criticisms do raise valid questions about the adaptation’s choices. However, I, and many others, particularly enjoyed how this film carved its own unique path. Rather than attempting a copy-paste of the wonderful piece of writing that already existed, the filmmakers created what feels more like a thoughtful translation across mediums. They understood that different forms of storytelling require different approaches. What works brilliantly on stage doesn’t always translate directly to screen, and this adaptation (ironically with its talking animals and magic) embraces that reality, offering viewers a fresh lens through which to experience the beloved tale of Oz’s most misunderstood witch.
So should you rush to see this latest trip to Oz? Whether you’re a die-hard fan who can recite every line of “Defying Gravity” or someone who’s never set foot in the Emerald City, this new adaptation offers something for everyone. While purists might miss certain elements from the book or stage version, I believe that, although it isn’t a perfect copy, the film succeeds in creating its own kind of magic. Like Elphaba herself, this movie isn’t afraid to be different from its predecessors, and this might just make it even more iconic. Just as the story teaches us, different doesn’t mean worse – sometimes it means wonderfully, wickedly better.
As Glinda might say, it’s all about the way you look at things. And from where I’m sitting, this new take on “Wicked” is looking pretty good.
