Wicked’s chances of making good this November have taken a leap that could see it…well…defy gravity and soar at the box office on its release on November 22. Although there is still a little wait for the Broadway musical adaptation to get an official Rotten Tomatoes score, there have been a smattering of reactions appearing on social media on the back of an early screening – and they should be enough to dampen worries about a repeat of Universal’s horrendous big screen version of Cats.
Wicked is one of several highly anticipated movies still to hit cinemas as the year draws to a close, and will be pitted in a colossal battle with Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II, which is set to open on the same day. Now the fight is one that has been elevated thanks to both movies getting some glowing reviews, with the Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande-led movie matching the Roman epic blow for blow.
John M.Chu has split the movie into two parts, with this year’s first part coving the first half of the stage show, culminating with one of the greatest curtain-closers ever put on Broadway – “Defying Gravity.” Just like the stage show, Chu previously said that when it came to transferring the story to screen, there was no way to really follow the iconic tune, and that played a big part in dictating the two-part release. However, with the first movie clocking in at a massive 160 minutes, some worried that there could be a lot of filler being added to the story that could make it drag. It seems those fears are proving unfounded.
What Are Early Reactions Saying About Wicked?
Although there have only been a few reactions so far, they have been unanimous in their praise of the movie. Leading off is Simon Thompson, who calls the movie “an Oz-some spectacle that pops and enchants on the big screen. An absolutely stunning vision. Leads Erivo and Grande knock it out of the park.” While he does note that those who do not hold water with musicals in general won’t be any more inclined to change their minds by the film, it will keep “die-hard Ozians” very happy.
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According to Variety’s Clayton Davis, the two leads also do not disappoint, with Ariana Grande being “born to play” the role of Glinda, and Erivo making the character of Elphaba her own with her “heavenly vocals.” This is an opinion that is backed up by another of Variety’s writers, Jazz Tangcay, who said:
“Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande have gifted us a musical masterpiece that is much more than we could have ever expected.”
Another of Variety’s contributors, Katcy Stephan, was more than happy to add to the praise by calling the film a masterpiece, and particularly marking director Chu out for his vision in bringing the film together. She wrote:
Jon M. Chu added so much new life to the story that I can see why it needed to be 2 parts! Well worth the 20-year wait.
- Release Date
- November 22, 2024
- Cast
- Cynthia Erivo , Ariana Grande , Michelle Yeoh , Jeff Goldblum , Jonathan Bailey , Ethan Slater , Marissa Bode , Bowen Yang , Bronwyn James , Keala Settle , Peter Dinklage , Aaron Teoh , Grecia De la Paz , Colin Michael Carmichael , Adam James , Andy Nyman , Courtney Mae-Briggs , Sharon D. Clarke , Jenna Boyd
- Runtime
- 160 Minutes
- Writers
- Gregory Maguire , Winnie Holzman , Dana Fox , L. Frank Baum
- Studio
- Studio(s)
- Marc Platt Productions
- Distributor(s)
- Universal Pictures
- Character(s)
- Elphaba Thropp , Glinda Upland , Madame Morrible , The Wizard , Fiyero Tigelaar , Boq , Nessarose Thropp , Pfannee , ShenShen , Miss Coddle , Doctor Dillamond (voice) , Avaric Tenmeadows , Gilligan , Professor Nikidik , Glinda’s Father , Governor Frexspar Thropp , Melena Thropp , The Midwife