'Wicked' enters new era of fandom with big-screen debut

It's been a long journey, as the broom flies, for the story of the Wicked Witch of the West to reach movie audiences. As "Wicked" sings into its big-screen debut, it marks the beginning of a new era for this musical franchise and its fervent fandom.

Expect audiences to cosplay as witches, and more, to sing along with the screen, and to burst into applause after each song (plus a few surprises). There are ornate musical numbers, plenty of laughs, and a bit of depth that viewers may not initially expect.

"Wicked" will become a top film of 2024 and will certainly cause some award chatter. And yet, it's only part one of this two-part story. The second part of "Wicked" is slated for November 2025.

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The story of "Wicked" debuted as a novel in 1995. It was converted into a hit Broadway musical in 2003. With this new film version, its share of the pop culture pie is about to get a lot bigger (I fully expect this film to synergize onto tissue boxes and soup cans). "Wicked" takes the magic that made the live musical so successful and transforms it into a brand new experience that will please longtime book and Broadway faithfuls, while creating a new generation of fans.

While the movie brings some big Hollywood names to the story (Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, and the voice of Peter Dinklage), the standout stars are the leads: Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda. There's something to be said for actors who have to perform through layers of makeup and costumes. Under a lot of green, Erivo not only commands this role, she masterfully sings it. There are also plenty of laughs along the way, the majority of that comedy delivered by Grande. When fans quote this film later on, it will likely be her lines.

The 1939 film "Wizard of Oz" was notable for being one of the first movies to introduce audiences to film in color. It's modern counterpart, "Wicked," offers an updated, impressive view of the Land of Oz, made possible by modern techniques (green screens, computer graphics, etc.). That makes this musical as interesting to watch as it is to listen to. One wonders what else is out there happening in the Land of Oz.

While this experience is enough to enchant modern movie-goers, some will be intrigued by deeper themes woven throughout "Wicked." For a story that has roots in a children's fairy tale, characters have mature depth, even if that depth is comical. This is a movie about growth. The people we meet at the start are not the same by the end of the story (part one of this musical anyway).

"The Wizard of Oz" gave plenty of fairy tale lessons for its day, such as "some people without brains do an awful lot of talking" (that one still works today). "Wicked" viewers can likely spot a few modern metaphors baked into the plot. I'll leave many of those observations for the click-bait harvesters and the "we need to talk about" headline writers. But it's not difficult to catch on to deeper points about political propaganda or mob mentalities.

"Wicked" the story

For the uninitiated (who are likely about to become new fans), "Wicked" provides an origin story for the Wicked Witch of the West. This character first appeared in the 1900 novel "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" and has been portrayed in adaptations ever since, notably in the 1939 iconic film "The Wizard of Oz". This green witch has appeared in comic books, TV specials, and the 1978 reimagining "The Wiz," for example.

These versions all tell the story of Dorothy, who is transported to the Land of Oz by a tornado. In Oz, Dorothy meets Glinda the Witch of the North, obtains some fashionable red shoes, and journeys to meet the Wizard in order to get home. Along the way, she makes friends with a lion, a tin man, and a scarecrow, and ends up killing the Wicked Witch of the West, who is not too popular around Oz.

That's the general story we all know, but these tales don't say much about the witch's life before Dorothy landed in Oz. "Wicked" takes the story in a new direction, focusing primarily on the life of Elphaba, aka the Wicked Witch of the West. Starting from birth, we get a glimpse of Elphaba's childhood and life at school — experiences that add up to the broom-riding leader of the flying monkeys we all know. We get to know about her family, and her best friend Glinda the Good Witch. What? Best friends?! Sounds like drama.

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This musical also provides a modern album of songs, including two that you may have heard floating around pop culture over the past two decades, even if you didn't know where they were from. Just as past generations have hummed "Over the Rainbow" into the public consciousness, "Popular" and "Defying Gravity" will be whistled and hummed for many years ahead. These songs are primed for cinema. Audiences will be singing along. I wouldn't be surprised if sing-along versions of this film eventually come about.

"Wicked: Part One"

4/5 stars for joyful viewing

Screen or stream?: Screen. Go see this movie in a theater. As a musical, it is best experienced with an audience, and that audience will likely be engaged. Plus, this spectacular Land of Oz is apt for a big screen.

Good for kids?: Yes. The film is rated PG and is family friendly.

What else?: Dress up. Watch as a witch, good or bad. Watch as a wizard. You probably won't be alone.