Movie Review: Wicked Part 1 - Wonderfully Terrible

Rarely does a movie leave me so conflicted as Wicked Part 1. On one hand, it’s a sprawling, messy, overindulgent spectacle riddled with flaws that should have been obvious in the editing room. On the other, it’s an undeniable feast for the senses and brimming with such ambition that it’s impossible to look away. It’s the cinematic equivalent of a glorious train wreck: chaotic, frustrating, and oddly exhilarating. Wicked Part 1 is, in every sense of the phrase, wonderfully terrible—and I can’t wait for Part 2.

Let’s start with what’s “wonderful.” Visually, the movie is a marvel. The world of Oz has never looked more vibrant, immersive, and fantastically bizarre. From the shimmering majesty of the Emerald City to the foreboding darkness of the forests, the production design is nothing short of stunning. Director Jon M. Chu clearly wanted to wow the audience, and visually speaking, he succeeded. Every frame feels meticulously crafted, even when the story is floundering. The costumes, special effects, and set pieces are all a love letter to the extravagant possibilities of fantasy filmmaking.

The performances, too, bring moments of genuine brilliance. Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba is a standout, delivering a nuanced, heartfelt portrayal of the so-called Wicked Witch of the West. Her rendition of “Defying Gravity” is as electrifying as you’d hope, and she grounds the character in a relatable struggle against prejudice and societal expectations. Ariana Grande’s Glinda is a different story—both in a good way and a bad way. Her comedic timing shines, and she nails the bubbly charm of Glinda, but her performance often feels like it belongs in a different movie. While Erivo is carrying the emotional weight of the narrative, Grande is floating above it in her pink bubble, delivering a campy performance that occasionally undercuts the drama.

The music, of course, is central to Wicked, and it’s… complicated. The songs themselves—adapted from the beloved stage musical—remain iconic. “Popular” and “The Wizard and I” are undeniable showstoppers, and the musical numbers are staged with all the grandeur you’d expect. However, the transition from dialogue to singing feels jarring, even for a musical. There’s an unevenness to the pacing, as if the movie can’t decide whether it wants to fully embrace its theatrical roots or reinvent itself for the screen. The result is a series of musical highs and narrative lows, with some songs feeling shoehorned into an already overstuffed plot.

Which brings me to the “terrible” part. The story is a bloated, convoluted mess. As an origin tale, it has moments of brilliance—seeing Elphaba’s journey unfold and her complicated friendship with Glinda evolve adds depth to the Oz mythology. But the movie’s insistence on cramming in every possible subplot makes it feel disjointed and overambitious. There are too many characters, too many plot threads, and not enough focus. At times, it feels like the film is trying to be everything at once: a musical, a political allegory, a fantasy epic, and a heartfelt character study. The result is a narrative that constantly trips over itself, never quite finding its rhythm.

The pacing is another major issue. At nearly two and a half hours, Wicked Part 1 feels like it’s trying to justify its existence as a two-part film. Certain scenes drag on far too long, while others are rushed through without enough explanation. By the time the credits rolled, I couldn’t help but feel like I’d been on a rollercoaster ride that didn’t know when to slow down or speed up. And yet… I couldn’t stop watching.

For all its flaws, Wicked Part 1 is undeniably entertaining. It’s bold, unafraid to take risks, and unapologetically theatrical. It swings for the fences in every scene, and while it doesn’t always connect, you have to admire its audacity. It’s the kind of movie that’s so committed to its own over-the-top vision that you can’t help but get swept up in it, even when it stumbles.

And that’s why I’m genuinely excited for Part 2. Despite the flaws, the movie sets up a fascinating world and leaves plenty of unanswered questions. How will Elphaba’s story continue? What will become of her friendship with Glinda? And how will it all connect to the events of The Wizard of Oz? If nothing else, I’m eager to see if the second half can deliver on the promise of this chaotic, wonderfully terrible first act.

In the end, Wicked Part 1 is far from perfect, but it’s undeniably memorable. It’s a film that’s as frustrating as it is fascinating, and while I can’t say I loved it, I also can’t say I wasn’t entertained. Sometimes, being wonderfully terrible is more than enough to leave an impression—and this movie certainly does that. Bring on Part 2. I’ll be watching. - Dave Carey

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