Wicked Movie Review: Two Parts Were Unnecessary

Tecfai Editorial Team

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Post on Nov 23, 2024

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Wicked Movie Review: Two Parts Were Unnecessary

The highly anticipated film adaptation of Wicked finally graced our screens, delivering a visually stunning and musically captivating experience. However, while much of the movie successfully translated the beloved Broadway musical to the big screen, two specific elements felt unnecessary and detracted from the overall impact. This review will delve into what worked brilliantly and where the film stumbled, focusing on the aspects that could have been omitted to create a more streamlined and potent narrative.

A Visual Spectacle and Stellar Performances

Let's start with the positives. The production design is breathtaking. The vibrant colors, intricate costumes, and imaginative set pieces truly bring the Land of Oz to life. The casting is also largely superb, with the actors embodying their characters with passion and skill. The musical numbers, especially the iconic "Popular" and "Defying Gravity," were flawlessly executed, retaining the emotional power of the stage production while adding a cinematic flair. The overall atmosphere captured the magic and wonder of the original story, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

The Unnecessary Additions: A Critical Look

While the movie succeeds in many areas, two key elements felt forced and ultimately detracted from the narrative's strength:

1. The Extended Backstory of Elphaba's Father

The film devotes considerable screen time to exploring the backstory of Elphaba's father, something largely absent from the stage musical. While understanding his character's motivations and their impact on Elphaba is important, the extended scenes felt overly detailed and slowed down the pacing. This extended backstory could have been effectively conveyed through more subtle means, allowing the narrative to focus on the central relationship between Elphaba and Galinda and the political intrigue surrounding the Wizard. The added depth, while potentially interesting on its own, ultimately felt unnecessary and weighed down the central plot.

2. The Expanded Romance Subplot

The romantic subplot, while present in the original, is significantly expanded in the film. While the chemistry between the leads is undeniable, the added romantic scenes between Elphaba and Fiyero felt excessive and somewhat jarring. The film could have maintained the core emotional connection between the characters without these extended sequences. The focus on romance overshadowed the exploration of other crucial themes within the story, such as political corruption, social injustice, and the complexities of friendship. This imbalance shifted the focus away from what made Wicked so compelling—its exploration of power, prejudice, and the ambiguity of good and evil.

Conclusion: A Mixed Bag with Untapped Potential

Wicked, the movie, is a visually stunning and musically rich experience. However, the extended backstory of Elphaba's father and the overemphasis on the romantic subplot prove to be unnecessary additions that ultimately detract from the overall narrative. These elements could have been streamlined or even removed entirely to create a more focused and impactful film. Despite these shortcomings, the movie’s strengths lie in its impressive visuals, strong performances, and captivating musical numbers. Ultimately, Wicked is a visually spectacular adaptation that occasionally falters in its pacing and narrative choices, leaving the audience with a mixed bag of emotions. While it succeeds in capturing the essence of the stage production in many aspects, it misses the mark by focusing too much on peripheral elements at the expense of the central story.