REVIEW: WICKED

4/5 

We're Off To See The Wicked

160 Mins. Starring: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande-Butera, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh & Jeff Goldblum. Screenplay: Winnie Holzman & Dana Fox. Director: Jon M. Chu. In: Theatres...and on Broadway, of course.

Something 'Wicked' this way finally comes to the Land of the Rising Sun, as the Oscar nomination laden movie finds a Japanese release date between Best Picture 'Anora', and the original favourite to scoop that envelope after the SAG success, 'Conclave'. This 'Part I' surprise, like 'Dune', is the brilliant Broadway blockbuster adaptation that Disney just wishes it had on its servers. The stage is set for an almost three-hour epic loosely based on the lips that read Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel of the same name, the Oz series of books, and of course the 1939 classic 'The Wizard Of Oz', that, almost a century later, there's no place like. Following the yellow brick road like 'The Wiz', 'Oz The Great And Powerful', and an Elton John classic, 'Wicked' is wonderful, with more wisdom than Jada Pinkett heavy-metal. Directed by the award ignored (why?) 'Crazy Rich Asians' director Jon M. Chu from a script from Dana Fox's 'Wedding Date' with playwright Winnie Holzman, 'The Untold Story Of The Witches Of Oz', or the college days Conan quips is finally brought from stage to screen.

Yet, it's the two showstoppers who steal it all in this candy coloured cinematic classic. There are some green jellybeans spilled on this canary pavement, and Cynthia Erivo sings her heart out like this epic was her destiny. It really is for the 'Harriet' and 'Widows' actress, who already brought Celine and 'The Color Purple' back to Broadway. You could really see her name in Times Square lights, hitting the stage, no promotional poster shade, of Lower Manhattan with her co-star. Making a perfect point about an acceptable colour. Because her bestie or frenemy here is pop superstar Ariana Grande-Butera who is an absolute joy in this movie. Not only as Sakura sweet as they come, sitting much more than pretty in pink, but also cute, charming and compelling comic, with as much wonder and wit, as she has warmth and wisdom. The grandest thing Ariana has ever done was what she did for the people of Manchester, but in terms of her classic career, this might even be more than the music. Even though both legacy and new legend making leads duet dynamically for a massive mainstream musical that means so much more.

Classic cameos. Nods to courage and cowards alike. 'Wicked' has it all. A dashing would be prince, charming you like Chris Pine in 'Into The Woods'. The love Grande found with Ethan Slater. SNL's Bowen Yang doing his best Dan Levy impression with real levity. There's even the voice of 'GOT' G.O.A.T Peter Dinklage. There are even two legends here to match the magic of our leads. 'Everything Everywhere All At Once' actress Michelle Yeoh slays once again, even if she at the Golden Globes, and I, have no idea what all that means. Add the massive head (literally...I actually think he's quite quaintly humble) of the one and only Jeff Goldblum, and the proceedings become perfect. Like his cast. I mean, I know we all know who he's playing (apart from me), but if you don't, I simply won't spoil, because you couldn't conjure up anyone better. And we work that fly green suit like the buzzed big-name he once was...and will always be. Good like Glinda, this how the Wicked Witch of the West was become story is a super origin one most Marvel movies would love to be. No water can rain on this parade at the moment. We're not in Kansas...yet. This 'Wicked' will last for good. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'The Wizard of Oz', 'Oz The Great And Powerful', 'The Wiz'.