Wicked || A Musical That Missed the Magic?

I don’t even know how to feel. About the movie, Wicked.
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After seeing endless clips, interviews, and trailers flood my Instagram feed, I knew I had to watch it. As someone who’s undeniably into fantasy and paranormal genres, my curiosity was piqued. Yet, I went in with zero expectations because, honestly, what’s there to see in a musical other than, well, music?

But then, the runtime caught my attention, almost three hours. That’s a commitment! And if I’m dedicating that much of my precious time to a single movie, my brain automatically goes, “This better be worth it.” Spoiler alert: It wasn’t.

Let’s start with the good stuff. The lighting. Yes, I watched an interview where the director passionately described the effort poured into the lighting design, especially the contrast between Elphaba’s green and Glinda’s pink. And honestly? They nailed it. There was no jarring contrast or over-the-top saturation. The balance between greenery, shadow, and ambiance was impeccable. Each scene had its own vibe, making it easier to focus on the story, or at least try to.

Also, the music. Both female leads have stunning voices, and their performances were nothing short of magical. Every note, every lyric, every harmony, it was all on point. The soundtrack deserves all the praise it’s getting, and then some. One standout moment was Glinda’s hilariously awkward confession about her engagement: “Fiyero and I are getting married! He doesn’t know yet.” That level of delusion? Iconic. Girl, same. Me and Aaron Pierce are tying the knot next weekend. You’re all invited. Gifts are mandatory, lol.

Now, onto the not-so-good. The plot—or lack thereof. I walked into Wicked with no expectations, but somehow it still managed to let me down. You know that feeling when you finish a movie and think, “What did I just watch? What’s the actual story here?” That was me.

Elphaba is the only character who feels fleshed out, with an arc that has some depth and intrigue. Glinda, on the other hand, is a walking contradiction. She starts off as the stereotypical spoiled princess eager to learn magic, yet the whole “magic” thing fizzles out with no proper follow-up. She suddenly pivots from entitled sorceress-in-training to love-struck maiden, and then, out of nowhere, she’s best friends with Elphaba? The reconciliation scene, a cringe dance, was so awkward I physically couldn’t watch it. I get that Elphaba was supposed to be the odd one out, even with her dance steps but THAT was just too painful for my eyes.

The movie jumps from one plot point to another without giving you time to care. Elphaba enrolls in school, bonds with Glinda, flirts with Prince Fiyero, meets the Wizard of Oz, and then, boom, she’s suddenly this feared, all-powerful Wicked Witch? The transitions are so rushed and underdeveloped that the story feels like a checklist of events rather than an immersive narrative.

I get that there’s a part two on the way, and maybe it’ll tie up the loose ends. But honestly? I’m not holding my breath. This movie lacks the suspense, depth, and world-building that make fantasy movies great. Instead, it relies on pretty visuals and show-stopping songs to carry the weight of a thin plot.

Final Thoughts
The music and lighting are the only redeeming qualities of Wicked, but they’re not enough to save it from its scattered storytelling. If you’re into musicals and don’t mind a disjointed plot, you might enjoy it. As for me, I’ll stick to rewatching Hamilton or The Greatest Showman.

Have you seen Wicked? What did you think? Let’s chat in the comments. And if you haven’t watched it yet, please do. Everyone is entitled to their opinions.

All images used in this article are either mine or properly referenced.
Thanks for reading!

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