Wicked tickets are now on sale and to build anticipation even further, here's a selection of early responses. They're not the full reviews, which are still under embargo, but they give a flavour of what to expect. And it sounds like we can expect something magical indeed.
Stephen Schwartz's Broadway smash, based on Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, is now given the glossy big-screen treatment by In the Heights director Jon M. Chu. Ariana Grande plays the good witch Glinda, and Cynthia Erivo plays the so-called bad witch Elphaba in a story of sisterly love gone sour, all played out with bold show tunes against the gleaming emerald spires of Oz.
Wicked is the first instalment in an epic two-part story and sports a gleaming supporting cast including Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard of Oz, plus Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh and Peter Dinklage.
Does the heartfelt musical hit the high notes? Does it even invite talk of Oscars? And how good is Ariana Grande in the role of Glinda? Scroll down to find out.
The world is not ready for how great @wickedmovie is. Jon M. Chu, Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande have gifted us a musical masterpiece that is much more than we could have ever expected. Ariana & Cynthia will blow you away. The production design and costumes are a visual spectacle. pic.twitter.com/TizvEL8tEh
— Jazz Tangcay (@jazzt) October 30, 2024
Wicked is a cinematic spectacle that serves as one of the very best big screen adaptations of a Broadway musical ever. Jon M. Chu perfectly captures the magic of the Broadway show while adding in some of his own unique flourishes to the source material. Ariana Grande and Cynthia… pic.twitter.com/KyTFJCRcKz
— Scott Menzel (@ScottDMenzel) October 30, 2024
i have seen the Wicked movie not once not twice but three separate times now and believe me when i say it is a complete and utter slay you will be gagged beyond belief everything you think the film looks like from your cracked iphones is wrong Cynthia and Ari truly are impeccable
— Chris Murphy (@christress) October 30, 2024
#Wicked is solid — sumptuously realized, occasionally quite moving (both leads are amazing). But it also falls into some of the traps of the Disney live-action remakes that diminishes its power — overlong, noisy, over-designed. Overall I liked it a lot and can’t wait for part 2🧹 pic.twitter.com/0XGEbKiSM5
— Drew Taylor (@DrewTailored) October 30, 2024
#Wicked rocks, kids. Galinda is the role Ariana Grande was born to play. Perfectly suited and genuinely a hilarious, scene-stealing performance. Cynthia Erivo's heavenly vocals allow her to make Elphaba her own. The team of artisans assembled by Jon M. Chu all put their signature… pic.twitter.com/OIXi9bnFZz
— Clayton Davis (@ByClaytonDavis) October 30, 2024
Happy to confirm WICKED is the best musical-to-movie adaptation since CHICAGO and MAMMA MIA. Ariana Grande....is perfection!? @hillibusterr and I kept grabbing each other's arm in delight.
— Erin Strecker (@ErinStrecker) October 30, 2024
Are you ready to hit the yellow brick Road and return to Oz? If so, book your tickets for Wicked via the link below. It's released on November 22nd.
Don't forget we’ve got two brand new, free Wicked-themed ICEE flavours (Glinda's Perfect Pink/Strawberry, and Elphaba's Emerald Green/Sour Apple) to enjoy when you see Wicked in 4DX or ScreenX between November 22nd and 28th.