Movie lovers musical fans and Oz enthusiasts listen up! "Wicked" the movie is officially here and it is causing a sensation. From Oscar nominations to debates about its real meaning this movie musical is way more than just a feel-good flick. Let's jump into the magical world of "Wicked" explore why it's got everyone talking and figure out if it lives up to the hype.
Oscar Darling? "Wicked: Part One" Nabs 10 Academy Award Nominations and Best Picture Buzz is Real!
Hold on to your broomsticks because "Wicked: Part One" is making waves this awards season. It snagged a whopping TEN Oscar nominations including a big one: Best Picture! Yes folks this musical is a serious contender and some folks are even wondering if it could actually win the top prize.
Imagine if "Wicked" takes home Best Picture. Some say it would be a huge signal especially for fans who see the movie as representing a fight against certain political ideas. Is it really that deep? We will get into that in a bit. But first let's acknowledge that ten nominations is a massive achievement and shows Hollywood is definitely taking notice of this fantastical movie.
"Defying Gravity" and Beyond: The Songs of "Wicked" Cast a Spell (Even Without Oscar Eligibility for Best Song)
You cannot talk about "Wicked" without talking about the music. The songs are iconic beloved and honestly the heart of the whole experience. Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda ? Vocally they are out of this world. Even folks who were not sure about a "Wicked" movie are getting swept away by their performances.
Fun fact Erivo and Grande actually sang live on set! Cinematographer Alice Brooks said this live singing totally changed the vibe on set. Sound mixer Simon Hayes explained that seeing the emotion and effort in their live vocals adds a whole other layer to their performances. You are not just hearing it you are feeling it.
While "Wicked" is nominated for Best Score at the Oscars the songs themselves are not up for Best Original Song. Why? Because they are not technically "original" to the movie they are from the Broadway musical. Tricky technicality right? But even without that Oscar song nod let's be real the "Wicked" soundtrack is a winner in everyone's ears. "Defying Gravity" " Popular " "What Is This Feeling?" These songs are already classics and the movie is just making them even bigger.
Speaking of "Defying Gravity" Cynthia Erivo's rendition in the movie is epic. It is almost eight minutes long and it is a powerhouse performance. She takes that already incredible song and makes it completely her own. And Ariana Grande is right there with her in their duets their voices blend together perfectly even when their characters are in conflict. The chemistry between Erivo and Grande is undeniable. Some fans are even joking they must be in love in real life because their on-screen connection is that strong!
Is "Wicked" Secretly a Political Resistance Musical? Decoding the Deeper Meanings
Okay so is "Wicked" just a fun fairy tale or is there something more going on? Some folks are seeing "Wicked" as having real-world political messages. Director Adam McKay even called it "one of the most radical big studio Hollywood movies ever made." Radical? Really?
The idea is that Elphaba the "Wicked Witch" is actually fighting for the rights of oppressed talking animals against a powerful Wizard who is spreading propaganda. Sounds kind of relevant right? Some have even jokingly suggested that if "Wicked" had come out before the 2024 election it might have helped a certain political figure win. That might be a stretch but it shows how much people are projecting current events onto the movie.
Is this reading too much into it? Maybe. One perspective is that this is "progressive magical thinking" where people try to twist existing stories to fit modern social views. But even if the political stuff is not intentional the themes of "Wicked" definitely resonate today. Standing up for the underdog fighting against injustice and questioning authority those are timeless ideas that can connect with audiences no matter what their politics are.
And let's not forget the animal subplot. Some critics in the past have been confused by why the Wizard is oppressing talking animals in the first place. But the movie seems to give that storyline more political weight. It adds a layer of totalitarianism and makes Elphaba's fight against the system even more meaningful. It raises the stakes beyond just a personal feud between two witches.
Why "Wicked" Deserves the Best Picture Oscar? One Argument for its Cinematic Magic
Beyond the performances and the music is there a case for "Wicked" winning Best Picture? One writer makes a strong argument for it focusing on the sheer commitment and "impossibility" of making a movie musical like this in 2025.
Think about it: They planted Nine Million real tulips for the Munchkin Village scene. Nine million! Why not just use CGI? Because director Jon M Chu and the team wanted to capture the lush real feel of old Technicolor musicals like "The Wizard of Oz". They wanted that sense of hope magic and naive cinematic wonder. That is a pretty ambitious goal in today's movie world.
The live singing also goes back to that old-school musical vibe. Lip-syncing is the norm now but "Wicked" went the harder route to bring more emotion and "jeopardy" to the vocal performances. It is a risk but it pays off big time. And the movie is long! Almost three hours for Part One and Part Two will be long too. They are not trying to shorten it for modern attention spans they are going all in on this epic musical vision. That takes guts and confidence.
So maybe "Wicked" winning Best Picture is a long shot. But it definitely deserves recognition for its ambition its musical power and its commitment to bringing old-school musical magic to a new generation. Whether it's politically radical or not "Wicked" is definitely making a cultural impact and that's something to celebrate.
Must-See "Wicked" Movie Moments (So Far):
- Cynthia Erivo's "Defying Gravity" Performance: A show-stopping nearly 8-minute rendition that transforms Elphaba.
- Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo's Duets: Especially "What Is This Feeling?" showcasing their incredible chemistry.
- The Nine Million Tulips in Munchkin Village: A testament to the film's commitment to visual spectacle.
- Jonathan Bailey's "Dancing Through Life": His charming and energetic solo number.
- Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard: High-camp and perfectly cast.