Wicked

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande prove that they have both spectacular voices and serious acting chops as the future Wicked and Good Witches of Oz (respectively) in this John M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians) adaptation of the smash hit Broadway show. Although this film only covers the first half of the show, it still feels like a complete story, and does it with sumptuous abandon. Set before Dorothy ever saw Oz, it follows the witches through school, where they start out enemies and become friends, learning to embrace their differences and soar to new heights. It currently has an 88% on the Tomatometer (critics) and a 95% on the Popcornmeter (audiences) on Rotten Tomatoes.

“Directed and performed with flair and obvious affection for the source material, Wicked is a wickedly good time at the movies.” -Max Weiss, Baltimore Magazine
“Possesses a heart, a brain and the courage of its own vision. Better than all that it has a soul and a spirit that will captivate generations of film lovers.” -Randy Myers, San Jose Mercury News
“The resulting adaptation satisfyingly combines the grandiosity of a musical and the intimacy of filmmaking.” -Shirley Li, The Atlantic
“Driven by knockout performances from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, Jon M Chu’s impossibly slick charm assault of an adaptation zips along so enjoyably that you almost wish it were longer” -Wendy Ide, Observer (UK)
“Built to last, Wicked enchants.” -Thelma Adams, AARP Movies for Grownups
“Percolating and popping with energy, it’s just about everything a movie musical should be.” -Rafer Guzman, Newsday
“How do I love the film of the hit stage musical, let me count the ways, starting with the way Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande set the screen ablaze as frenemy witches and sets, costumes and songs to die for. Seeing this joyous eruption once is not enough.” -Peter Travers, ABC News
“This is a sumptuous and unsubtle treat grounded in Erivo’s graceful and subtle performance. When she defies gravity, she lifts us with her, and we lean forward to the next chapter.” -Nell Minow, MovieMom
“Wicked is the most entertaining film of the year and the most dazzling live-action Hollywood musical since Chicago.” -Kyle Smith, Wall Street Journal
“It’s smart, sweet, and sassy in equal measure, with eye-popping special effects, lustrously colorful cinematography and production design, dynamic vocals and dancing, and — best of all — emotionally intimate storytelling.” -Albert Williams, Chicago Reader
“In terms of raw spectacle, the all-singing, all-dancing meat-and-potatoes of the musical, Wicked absolutely delivers.” -Kate Erbland, indieWire
“The two ride a magic roller coaster of friendship and sisterhood — and we ride it with them, thoroughly besotted. You might find your footsteps defying gravity on the way out the multiplex door.” -Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times
“People who love this story and these characters will be delighted, and there’s much here for people who aren’t familiar with the musical but are looking for a cinematic escape around the holidays.” -Christie Lemire, RogerEbert.com

Wicked will probably open at The Clyde on Friday, January 3, and show Friday, Saturday, & Monday at 7:30 and Sunday at 2:00 for two weeks.