Film Review

Wicked

★★½ 2.5
2024 ·162 min
Director Jon M. Chu
DramaRomanceFantasy
Prime Video Available to Rent
Wicked

Aaron's Thoughts

I am a sucker for Broadway musicals, but Wicked has just never been my thing. Chu nails the big musical numbers, but you can’t help but spend every other second waiting for the next one to start.

It’s not Chu’s fault that the source material is terrible (hot take, I know). Which is why I’ve come around to the fact that this is probably about the best possible version that could have been made of a Wicked movie. I guess my big problem with it is how much the filmmaking makes it feel like a Marvel movie targeting women. Which just feels gross as you are watching it. Especially after you’ve sat through so many Marvel movies.

It’s got moments that I will no doubt revisit, but I can’t imagine ever sitting down and watching the whole thing again.

Genuinely curious what Chu is going to do for Part 2. He’s got to take some swings because I genuinely think Act 2 of Wicked is my least favorite act of any show I’ve ever seen. I saw it a second time on Broadway just to make sure I wasn’t crazy. All the good moments & songs from the show are in Act 1, which bodes well for this film, but not so much for the counterpart next year

Academy Awards

2 Wins · 7 Nominations

Won Best Costume Design — Paul Tazewell
Won Best Production Design — Lee Sandales
Nom Best Sound — Andy Nelson
Nom Best Actress — Cynthia Erivo
Nom Best Film Editing — Myron Kerstein
Nom Best Visual Effects — Pablo Helman
Nom Best Supporting Actress — Ariana Grande
Nom Best Makeup and Hairstyling — Frances Hannon
Nom Best Original Score — John Powell

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