‘Wicked’ Sends Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Into the Oscar Race; First Reactions Call It a ‘Masterpiece’ and an ‘Absolutely Stunning Vision’
Universal’s “Wicked” has finally been unveiled to members of the film press, who are praising Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of the hit Broadway musical. The film’s leads, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, are also earning raves across the board as the musical launches them into Oscar season as acting contenders.
Variety’s Katcy Stephen hailed the “Wicked” movie as a “masterpiece,” adding: “Ariana Grande makes Glinda sparkle: she milks every moment with gusto, humor and hair flips. Jon M. Chu added so much new life to the story that I can see why it needed to be 2 parts! Well worth the 20-year wait.”
Journalist Simon Thompson was wowed by the movie’s spectacle, calling it an “absolutely stunning vision. Leads Erivo and Grande knock it out of the park. While this perhaps won’t convert many anti-musical folks, genre fans and die-hard Ozians (Wickhards?) will feast on this.”
#WickedMovie is an Oz-some spectacle that pops and enchants on the big screen. An absolutely stunning vision. Leads Erivo and Grande knock it out of the park. While this perhaps won’t convert many anti-musical folks, genre fans and die-hard Ozians (Wickhards?) will feast on this pic.twitter.com/HhqJc9cXAK
— Simon Thompson (@ShowbizSimon) October 30, 2024
“Jon M. Chu, Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande have gifted us a musical masterpiece that is much more than we could have ever expected,” Variety’s Jazz Tangcay wrote. “Ariana & Cynthia will blow you away. The production design and costumes are a visual spectacle.”
The world is not ready for how great @wickedmovie is. Jon M. Chu, Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande have gifted us a musical masterpiece that is much more than we could have ever expected. Ariana & Cynthia will blow you away. The production design and costumes are a visual spectacle. pic.twitter.com/TizvEL8tEh
— Jazz Tangcay (@jazzt) October 30, 2024
Let me put it out there: I’m a “Wicked” fanatic. I saw the original Broadway production with Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth in their iconic roles as the misunderstood Elphaba and the effortlessly popular Glinda. It’s hard to forget the magic they conjured onstage, which is why I approached “Crazy Rich Asians” director Jon M. Chu’s film adaptation with cautious optimism. But 60 seconds into the opening number, “No One Mourns the Wicked,” my skepticism faded.