Two part movies are very fashionable at the moment. It's probably, more often than not, cynical. Take a story, split it in two, make twice as much money but for some stories the two parts actually work. Dune for example works better as two stories, Stephen King's It, despite the choices made in chapter two does work better as two stories and shockingly Wicked it seems works – so far anyway – as two films.
In the Heights maestro Jon M. Chu takes Stephen Schwartz' smash hit musical, itself a revisionist re-telling of The Wizard of Oz, about the witches of Oz, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) the so-called Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the good witch of the north (Ariana Grande) and what actually happened between them.
From the retro-futuristic Universal logo, through the opening shot it's clear that Chu is in full control here. Taking the musical that has charmed audiences for two decades and bringing it to the screen with wit and passion. It shouldn't be shocking after the impeccable job he did with Lin-Manuel Miranda's bodega-centric story previously, but Wicked is a global phenomenon and the pressure was surely on.
Splitting the story allows for more time and nuance to be given to characters. Not just Elphaba who Erivo takes in her stride, commanding the screen and imbuing with a nobility that is hard to not warm to, but the runtime only doing act one allows for Grande to show off her acting ability and her comic timing. It's probably not shocking to anyone who grew up on the family friendly tween comedies she made her name in but here Grande excels as the often OTT Glinda.
It's a great cast, helped by making Michelle Yeah the imperious Madame Moribble and Jeff Goldblum as the perhaps not-so wonderful Wizard of Oz. Both get to show off their penchant for menace in scenes, but the film is really about Elphaba and Glinda.
One scene, a silent dance to break tension at a club is the film's stand out. A moment of two women connecting and dispelling their rivalry. It's all said in the sympathetic, and regretful face of Grande and the tearful gratitude of Erivo.
The dance sequences, and big musical numbers are all present and done in a way that celebrates being a musical. It has the feel of an old-fashioned movie musical done in a thoroughly modern way, but it's only natural that the film itself builds to Defying Gravity, the musicals break out song. Chu and co know this and so they do not skimp on the theatrics when that climactic song hits and for anyone who has invested – and at nearly three hours it's a big investment – it's hard not to be utterly moved by Elphaba's proclamation that nothing will bring her down.
Waiting for part two is one mighty interval.
Wicked is in cinemas from 22 November
