by Rosa Parra

The most memorable presentation at this year’s Cinemacon was from Universal’s “Wicked.” We were shown footage of the film while the Coliseum at Caesars’ Palace was decorated with tulips. Having seen this first part of the movie, I was able to make the connections. And I have to admit that the presentation did an excellent job of showcasing the magical feel of this movie. “Wicked” is a film adaptation of the famous Broadway play, the origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba, and her friendship with Glinda, directed by Jon M Chu.

It stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Ariana Grande as Glinda along with Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Peter Dinklage and Ethan Slater. .

I haven’t seen the play nor listened to the album in its entirety. My only knowledge of this musical is through the cultural zeitgeist, so I walked into the movie with a superficial level of awareness, naturally lowering my expectations.

To my surprise, I had an absolute blast with this film. I love the chemistry between Grande and Erivo. Their dynamic is the heartbeat of the film and most definitely what kept me engaged throughout. I would not be surprised if they both received awards recognition for their performances (I’d go as far as to predict Grande will win a few).

The visuals are stunning. In fact, they wonderfully enhance the whimsical, magical, colorful, and full of life feel and look. I was left fascinated by witnessing what the film medium can bring to a story, how the magical and fantastical elements are further enhanced and spotlighted thanks to the film adaptation.

The performances are overall strong with Grande being the big surprise. She brings wit, charm and an unexpected comedic tone to Glenda that I never knew she could depict. Erivo is an overall powerhouse with her depiction of Elphaba, both in acting performance and singing. I was also delightfully surprised by Bailey. I had no idea what he was capable of bringing to his character. And everyone else was also superb.

A dance between Glenda and Elphaba activated my tear ducts as it’s beautifully shot and performed. A whole lot is said without a single word being spoken. And it’s those intimate moments between them that makes this film such a powerfully moving experience.

The costumes and production design were spectacular. While the CGI was a little more evident and less polished, it was not noticeable enough to pull me away from the film. Another thing that was evident was its runtime. Towards that third act, I began to notice how long the movie was. The first act is slightly muddle, but it eventually finds its footing.

The musical numbers were entertaining and I’ve since been listening to the songs from the movie. The film ends with “Defying Gravity,” and I couldn’t believe what my eyes were witnessing. It was epic in scope, magnitude, voice and visuals. I had literal chills running down my spine and I was instantly ready to watch part 2.

Overall, “Wicked” is a triumphant adaptation of a beloved play. Firmly anchored by two of the strongest performances of the year, this film will likely leave you defying gravity.

9/10.