Wicked (2024)

After the death of the Wicked Witch Of The West (Cynthia Erivo), the citizens of Munchkinland in the country of Oz celebrate. But when asked by one of the citizens if she knew her, Glinda The Good (Ariana Grande) reflects on their mutual past and friendship. Based on the Broadway musical which was loosely based on the novel by Gregory Maguire (itself inspired by THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ by L. Frank Baum) and directed by Jon M. Chu (CRAZY RICH ASIANS). The film adaptation is based on the original musical's first act. The second film based on the show's second act is due to be released next winter. I've not seen the stage version, I had little interest in it. But I love this movie! It's an epic musical  (two hours and 40 minutes) bursting at the seams in ways that could never be contained on a proscenium stage. Curiously, the songs (by Stephen Schwartz of GODSPELL) are unmemorable and I doubt I'll remember any of them in two weeks but they work in the context of the movie and that's good enough for me. Ariana Grande is very good but Cynthia Erivo is sensational. I had a wonderful time at it and look forward to WICKED 2 next year. With Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth.