"Wicked Part 1" is a story only half fulfilled

Just as “The Wizard of Oz” has become synonymous with cinema itself, so too has “Wicked” paired itself with the theater.  The production is one of those Broadway staples that forever seemed locked to a stage, and the film adaptation is probably the most anticipated of its kind since, I dunno, let’s say “Cats.”  I’m happy to report that the new movie, directed by Jon M. Chu, inspires a much sweeter type of escapism, but sad to say that it’s a story only half fulfilled.  “Wicked: Part 1” is a competent retelling of the stage play with a hard-working ensemble, full of craft done by an army of practical and digital artisans.  Unfortunately, someone pulled the fire alarm at intermission.

Providing the most iconic witch in pop culture with an empathetic backstory is just as fine a story here as it was when “Wicked” became a cultural phenomenon 20 years ago.  Before the events of Dorothy and company, the Wicked Witch of the West was just a green, insecure outcast named Elphaba (played by Cynthia Erivo).  Newly enrolled at the magical Shiz University, she’s the victim of tortuous classmates led by her roommate: the vapid, pop-u-lar Galinda (played by Ariana Grande), long before she was the Good Witch of the North. 

Does having green skin really make you stand out that much in a world of munchkins and talking animals?  I’d think not, but the people of Oz aren’t as accepting as we’d hope.  In between big musical numbers, the film takes its time introducing a number of classmates and professors who will have more influence on the plot in the yet-to-be-released “Part 2.”  Until then, we get to watch Elphaba’s own magical abilities grow, along with her friendship with Galinda.  It’s not long before they’re off to see the Wizard himself (Jeff Goldblum) to have Elphaba’s wish of being accepted fulfilled.

“Part 1” is more than happy to pad itself out to a two hour and forty minute runtime.  The filmmakers are wise enough to not add new music to Stephen Schwartz’s Tony-winning soundtrack, but instead make the mistake of treating the material with such reverence that the pace suffers in order to bask in its own glory.  A live production can get away with this sort of self-importance thanks to the performers and crew members busting their butts every night, but here the bloat is too much, and the lack of a resolution for so much of the story makes it hard not to look at the entire feature cynically.

It’s a shame, too, as the effort going into the film is impossible to miss.  It’s no technicolor marvel, but underneath the CGI-sheen is a detailed world I wish the characters had more joy in exploring.  Shiz University follows Hogwarts as a school of magic we’d dream of attending, with spinning libraries and canals that weave through the common ground.  When the ensemble breaks out into song and gets to interact with the environment, it’s as fun as you’d expect.  Yet often, the characters seem uninterested in the fantasy surrounding them.  Maybe they’re all just that used to Oz, but I’m certainly not.

Erivo and Grande are two incredibly gifted singers, and neither one has an easy job stepping into the roles that made Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth household names.  As Galinda, Grande hits the expected notes of self-infatuation, frequently succeeding at being overbearing to Elphaba while still being bearable to the audience, though she’s never quite able to escape the shadow of Chenoweth.  Erivo is much more successful at having her performance stand separate from the one that preceded her, and it’s because of the talented actress that we’re able to look past many of the movie’s faults.

Still, too much distracts from the power of the film’s leads, and though they get a decent conclusion by the time the words “to be continued” appear on screen, it’s less of a cliffhanger and more of a “tune in next time.”  Die-hard fan or not, there’s more to be desired by the ending; an entire second half.  There are arguments to be made for and against episodic filmmaking such as this.  “Wicked: Part 1” is a fine piece of evidence against it.

“Wicked: Part 1” opened in theaters Friday, November 22.