Film Review – Wicked: Part I

“Wicked” began life as a 1995 novel by author Gregory Maguire, eventually transformed into a major 2003 Broadway musical event by writer Winnie Holzman, while Steven Schwartz handled music and lyrics. The show amassed a massive fanbase, but producers kept the stage production away from a cinematic interpretation for an exceptionally long time, content to launch tours and revivals instead. And now it’s a film, finding “Wicked” (which is actually titled “Wicked: Part I” in the feature) handed a massive movie adaptation from screenwriters Holzman and Dana Fox, and directorial duties are managed by John Chu, who previously accepted musical guardianship in 2021’s “In the Heights.” It’s an epic return to the Land of Oz in the endeavor, which boasts marvelous technical achievements and a rich sense of scale. There’s also a more intimate story to examine in the offering, but only half of the journey is presented here, creating some needless confusion, especially for those new to the material. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com