Wicked: Part One Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Green girl and popular blonde go to wizarding school, discover the Wizard of Oz is a jerk, and then one becomes a misunderstood villain while the other gets all the popularity…with a lot of singing in between.

🍿 Wicked: Part One: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Elphaba’s Arrival at Shiz University

The film begins with Elphaba Thropp, born with green skin, arriving at Shiz University with her paraplegic sister, Nessarose. Elphaba is immediately ostracized for her appearance but soon discovers a hidden talent for magic, catching the attention of Madame Morrible, the headmistress of the school. Morrible offers Elphaba private tutoring, sparking hope that she might meet the Wizard of Oz and change her skin color.

Rivalry and Friendship with Galinda

Elphaba is forced to share a room with Galinda Upland, a popular and bubbly student. The two initially clash due to their contrasting personalities and backgrounds, resulting in comedic tension and resentment. However, as they navigate their studies and social lives, a complex friendship begins to blossom between them, highlighted by moments of shared vulnerability and support.

Discovering the Wizard’s Deception

Elphaba and Galinda, now going by Glinda, are summoned to the Emerald City to meet the Wizard of Oz. Elphaba hopes to advocate for the talking Animals of Oz, who are facing discrimination. However, she soon discovers that the Wizard is a fraud manipulating events and experimenting on the Animals for his own gain. This revelation shatters her ideals and sets her on a path to rebellion.

Elphaba’s Defiance and Escape

Horrified by the Wizard’s deception, Elphaba decides to defy him and expose his lies. Glinda attempts to reason with her, urging her to reconcile with the Wizard and Madame Morrible. However, Elphaba remains steadfast in her decision, leading to an emotional farewell. Using her growing magical abilities, she levitates a broom and escapes the Emerald City, becoming a fugitive and earning the label of “Wicked Witch.”

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo): A misunderstood and powerful green-skinned young woman who becomes the infamous Wicked Witch of the West after discovering the Wizard’s corruption.
• Galinda (Ariana Grande): A popular and ambitious student who befriends Elphaba and eventually becomes Glinda the Good Witch.
• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum): The seemingly benevolent ruler of Oz who is revealed to be a manipulative and fraudulent figure.
• Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh): The Dean of Sorcery Studies at Shiz University who mentors both Elphaba and Galinda, while secretly serving the Wizard’s agenda.
• Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey): A rebellious and charming prince who develops a connection with both Elphaba and Glinda, questioning the social norms of Oz.
• Nessarose (Marissa Bode): Elphaba’s paraplegic sister, who relies on Elphaba and desires companionship.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Elphaba: “Something bad is happening in Oz.” – Elphaba expresses her concerns about the treatment of Animals and the growing injustice in Oz.
• Glinda: “It’s good to see me, isn’t it?” – Glinda says this in her usual funny and self-assured way upon encountering someone, highlighting her confidence.
• Elphaba: “I’m not that girl.” – Elphaba sings this during ‘I’m Not That Girl’, expressing her sadness that Fiyero may prefer Galinda over her
• The Wizard: “The best way to bring folks together is to give them a real good enemy.” – The Wizard reveals his manipulative strategy for controlling the citizens of Oz.
• Elphaba: “Defying Gravity” – The song that Elphaba sings during when she decides to stand up against The Wizard

💰Box Office

• Budget: $145,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $72,185,917
• Worldwide Gross: $194,485,917

💥 Wicked: Part One Reviews

Personal Review

I went in expecting a fun musical, and I got that! Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo were fantastic. Their chemistry was so good, and their voices are incredible. The ‘Defying Gravity’ scene gave me chills. I loved the costumes and the world-building. I was completely immersed. Sure, it’s long, but I didn’t feel it. Can’t wait for Part Two!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of the ‘Wicked’ musical”
  • “Those who enjoy fantasy and musical films”
  • “Viewers interested in origin stories and reinterpretations of classic tales”
  • “Audiences who appreciate strong female characters and complex friendships”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Some scenes may be intense or frightening for younger children”
  • “Deals with themes of prejudice and discrimination”
  • “Contains some fantasy violence”
  • “May be emotionally impactful due to themes of friendship and betrayal”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “Visually stunning with strong performances, especially from Erivo and Grande. The musical numbers are well-executed, but the film suffers from pacing issues and a somewhat dull color palette. Feels a bit long and drawn out, but overall an enjoyable experience for fans of the musical and newcomers alike.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Despite its grand scale and talented cast, *Wicked: Part One* struggles to capture the magic of the stage production. The story feels stretched, and the visuals, while impressive, sometimes lack warmth. Grande and Erivo shine, but the film ultimately feels like a setup for the second part.
• Metacritic: “A visually impressive adaptation with powerhouse performances, particularly from Erivo and Grande. The story sometimes feels bloated, and the reliance on CGI can be distracting, but the music and overall energy make it a worthwhile cinematic experience.

Audience Reactions

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo delivered Oscar-worthy performances.: The incredible performances by the lead actresses and their undeniable chemistry.

The world-building and visual effects are stunning.: The amazing sets and costumes really brought Oz to life.

Overall Consensus: A visually impressive and well-acted musical adaptation that, while sometimes long and occasionally flawed, captures the essence of the beloved stage show and leaves audiences eagerly awaiting the next installment.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on the hit Broadway musical ‘Wicked,’ which in turn is a reimagining of the classic ‘The Wizard of Oz’ story from the Wicked Witch of the West’s perspective.”
• “Stephen Schwartz, who wrote the music and lyrics for the original Broadway musical, was involved in the film’s production.”
• “Several songs from the Broadway musical were adapted for the film, including ‘Defying Gravity,’ ‘Popular,’ and ‘The Wizard and I.'”
• “The production aimed to create a visually stunning and immersive world of Oz, using a combination of practical sets and CGI.”

🖥️ How to Watch Wicked: Part One?

Wicked: Part One is currently playing in theaters. Check your local listings for showtimes. Once it leaves theaters, expect it to be available for purchase or rental on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Streaming availability will likely follow on platforms like Peacock, given Universal Pictures’ distribution agreements.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Wicked: Part One, you might like these similar films:

• The Wizard of Oz (1939): The original story that ‘Wicked’ reimagines, offering a contrasting perspective on the same world and characters.
• Oz the Great and Powerful (2013): Another prequel to ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ exploring the backstory of the Wizard himself with a fantastical and visually rich world.
• Into the Woods (2014): A modern musical that blends multiple fairy tales, exploring darker themes and character complexities within a familiar fantasy setting.
• The Greatest Showman (2017): A musical about acceptance that shows that being different should be celebrated.

🛒 Wicked: Part One Related Products

• Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire: The novel that inspired the musical, delving deeper into Elphaba’s backstory and the political landscape of Oz.
• Funko Pop! Movie – Wicked Elphaba: A stylized collectible figure of Elphaba from the movie, perfect for displaying your fandom.
• Wicked Broadway Musical – Original Cast Recording: The complete original cast recording of the Broadway musical, featuring Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth.
• Official Wicked Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the theatrical poster, ideal for decorating your home theater or bedroom.

🎧 Soundtrack

Wicked: Part One features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “No One Mourns the Wicked” – performed by Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande & Ensemble
• “The Wizard and I” – performed by Cynthia Erivo
• “What Is This Feeling?” – performed by Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande
• “Dancing Through Life” – performed by Jonathan Bailey & Ensemble
• “Popular” – performed by Ariana Grande
• “I’m Not That Girl” – performed by Cynthia Erivo
• “One Short Day” – performed by Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande & Ensemble
• “A Sentimental Man” – performed by Jeff Goldblum
• “Defying Gravity” – performed by Cynthia Erivo

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

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