Wicked (2024) - review

Ladies and Ozmopolitans, after years of anticipation, the Wicked movie is finally here to defy gravity box office records. If the early reviews are any indication, Ariana Grande (Grande-Butera, if you’re nasty) and Cynthia Erivo have created an experience so magical that it’s going to leave diehard Wicked fans tickled pink (unlike that awkies fan edit drama that left Cynthia green with envy). But for the new fans who aren’t quite Wizomaniacs, all of the insider Ozian knowledge I’ve been casually hoarding for years from Glinda’s real name to WTF goes down at Shiz may seem like a lot to follow in one sitting. Never fear, as a semi-closeted theater nerd who has listened to the Wicked musical soundtrack (and seen the show live) more times than Idina Menzel hit an E-flat from 2003 to 2005, I got you. If you’re lost about why something baaaaad is happening in Oz, keep reading my spoiler-free Wicked guide on everything to know before the movie. Ariana Grande: Glinda Upland Ariana Grande plays Glinda, which I assume you already know unless you’ve been in a coma for the last five years. But did you know Glinda isn’t her real name? Ari’s pink puffy character is all about appearances, which is why she changed her name from Ga-linda, which was far less chic. Glinda and the other Shiz students’ quirky Ozion pronunciations of words (clandestinedly, hideoteous, festivating, to name a few faves) are a running plotline in the film. Check out a full glossary here. Cynthia Erivo: Elphaba Thropp (AKA, The Wicked Witch Of The West) In case the green didn’t give it away, Cynthia is the Wicked Witch all the munchkins are soooo afraid of in Judy Garland’s Oz. In the musical version, the magical realm is trying to hunt Elphie for her completely misrepresented crimes in the kingdom.