Spoiler Alert: This list includes spoilers for Wicked.Wickedthe film has been a smash hit at thebox officeand withmusical theaterfans everywhere.Wickedthe stage musical has been a smash hit since it came out onBroadwayin 2003.Fans of the story have their own opinions about whether the stage version or film version ofWickedis better.
Many fans argue that nothing compares to seeing a Broadway (or similar) production in person. Stage productions likeWickedhave an incredible sense of immersion in person, and getting to see actors perform in person is truly special and unique. So, while it cannot be said which version is objectively better,there are some things that theWickedfilm does better than its original stage version.
The story of how a green-skinned woman framed by the Wizard of Oz becomes the Wicked Witch of the West. The first of a two-part feature film adaptation of the Broadway musical.
10The Animals' Story
The film gives more time to the story of the animals in Oz.
One thing that fans have noticed a lot ishow muchmore timeWickedthe filmtook to hash out the story of the animalsthat power much of Elphaba’s (Cynthia Erivo) character arc. The musical definitely takes time to tell the story, but there are additional scenes within the film that hash out the animals' story in Oz more. For example, there is a scene with Dr. Dillamond (Peter Dinklage) speaking with other Shiz animal professors about the upcoming danger. There are more visual references to the animals and their place at Shiz before the events ofWicked.
The musical definitely takes time to tell the story, but there are additional scenes within the film that hash out the animals' story in Oz more.
Additionally, there are more animals in the film’s story that help shape Elphaba’s care for them, such as the inclusion of the character Dulcibear (Sharon D. Clarke), who raised Elphaba rather than her neglecting father. These inclusions and more bring a deeper level to the story that shapesWickedas a whole.
9The Friendship
The film gives more time for Glinda and Elphaba’s friendship to develop.
Glinda (Ariana Grande) and Elphaba’s friendship is arguably the most important element toWicked.So,the filmgiving more time for their friendship to developis definitely important to the overall story. The film is much longer than the stage musical, so it makes sense that much of the extra time that the film takes goes to this important relationship.
The Ozdust Ballroom scene is much longer than in the stage musical, and this scene in particular is one that takes time to shine asthe moment when Galinda and Elphaba truly become friends. Beyond that scene, there are many others that are either lengthened from the stage musical or added altogether. These scenes that focus on the relationship between these two characters not only create stronger character development, but give more emotion toWicked’s shocking and emotional “Defying Gravity” conclusion.
8The References
The film features more references to The Wizard of Oz.
The film format ofWickedgives more opportunity forreferences to the source material,The Wizard of Oz.There are several references throughout the film. Some of these references are visual, and there are also musical references toThe Wizard of Ozin the film’s score.
Some of the visual nods toThe Wizard of OzinWickedare the film’s title screen inthe same font as the title screen inThe Wizard of Oz…
Some of the visual nods toThe Wizard of OzinWickedare the film’s title screen inthe same font as the title screen inThe Wizard of Oz,Dorothy and crew walking with the witch’s broom, Galindatapping together ruby slippers three timesin “Popular,” and many more! One of the musical nods toThe Wizard of Ozis the melody to “Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead” plays at the beginning of the film.
7The Animals
The film portrays the animals in a more realistic way through CGI.
In the stage show ofWicked,an actor plays Dr. Dillamond in a goat costume. In fact, all the animal characters in the production are portrayed by actors in costumes. This makes sense for the stage production, of course, buthaving the animals in the film look more like real animals definitely helps the viewer to suspend their disbeliefmore when it comes to the animal characters.
The animals in theWickedfilm are animated withCGI. The animation makes the animals look very realistic.There are voice actors for these animals, but the physical mannerisms are very much more animalistic than in the musical stage show version. It, of course, though, depends on theWickedviewer which version of these talking animals they prefer: human costumed or CGI.
6The Costumes
The film has more extensive costume designs.
The costumes in the stage musical ofWickedare stunning and iconic. Fans, of course, will have their own opinions about whether they prefer the costumes from the stage version or the screen version. Yet, there is no doubt thatthe film has many more costumes, many of these being new, elaborate pieces.
The film format lends itself to having more costumes, as stage actors have to do costume changes…
The film format lends itself to having more costumes, as stage actors have to do costume changes, so they wear only a few costumes throughout the musical. In the film version, there are so many more, even within singular songs. For example, in the song “What Is This Feeling,“Elphaba and Galinda cycle throughmultiple different stunning costumes in the one song. The film’s costuming is absolutely stunning, and it is something that many fans ofWicked,old and new, have praised a lot.
5The Backstories
The film shows Elphaba and Nessarose’s childhoods.
TheWickedfilm further develops Elphaba’s story by diving into her and Nessarose’s (Marissa Bode) childhoods. In these flashback scenes, we get to see how Elphaba was treated as a child. We get to see her relationship with Nessarose.We get to see howanimals were a formative part of her life. During the “Defying Gravity” sequence, Elphaba even connects to her younger self in a touching moment.
With the longer duration of the film, the backstories of Elphaba and Nessarose are given more time…
All the backstory that the film adds to the musical’s story are great additions. With the longer duration of the film, the backstories of Elphaba and Nessarose are given more time, and this is beneficial forunderstanding the characters in the movie even morethan in the stage production.
4The Score
The film’s score is more extensive and nuanced.
Stephen Schwartzwrote the gorgeous original music forWicked.He is an iconic composer who created a classic musical. But in the film version, he partnered with legendary film composerJohn Powellto score the film. John Powell brought a new level of nuance and beauty toWicked’s incredible music.
John Powell brought a new level of nuance and beauty toWicked’s incredible music.
In between Stephen Schwartz’s original songs,John Powell’s score shined. It is absolutely stunning, and even has special references toWicked: For Goodwithin the music. Powell did a wonderful job at using music to add a new level of beauty toWicked’s music through the film’s score outside its amazing songs by Schwartz.
3The Ozdust Ballroom Scene
The film lets this scene speak without using any words.
The Ozdust Ballroom scenehas been hailed by many fans as the best scene in the entire film, even though there is no dialogue. Even the film’s actors have acknowledged this scene’s importance. It is an extended moment that stands as the moment that Galinda and Elphaba truly become friends, as Galinda steps forward and dances with Elphaba while she’s being made fun of. This gorgeous bonding scene happens within the song “Dancing Through Life.”
It is an extended moment that stands as the moment that Galinda and Elphaba truly become friends…
In the stage musical, “Dancing Through Life” is about seven minutes and thirty seconds.In theWickedoriginal movie soundtrack, “Dancing Through Life” is nearly ten minutes, and then there is a separate instrumental track called “Ozdust Duet” that is about two minutes. So, this scene’s length is nearly doubled, and in that comes one of the most touching moments of the film between Elphaba and Galinda.
2The Lore of Oz
The film gives more lore to The Grimmerie and The Wizard.
Throughout theWickedfilm, more lore is given to the land of Oz. There are many moments throughout where this happens, but the most significant is in the “One Short Day” sequence. This sequence features very prominent cameos fromIdina MenzelandKristin Chenoweth! The iconic originalWickedduo play the wise women of Oz. In this scene, the wise women tell an extended story of the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) and Oz’s beginnings through song. Stephen Schwartz wrote in this new section of the song forMenzel and Chenoweth to deliver this lore.
One of the most important things that the wise women discuss is the history of the Grimmerie, which is the spellbook of Oz that Elphaba can miraculously read. The extended lore that the film gives for this increases the intensity and stakes that the viewer feels towards it, as the viewer understands more of its significance.
1The Expressions
The film allows the audience to see more nuanced acting.
One element thatgreatly differs between film and theateris the way that facial expressions are done. In theater productions, expressions are so dramatic as to be seen and understood by the entire audience. In film,actors can act with more subtle emotions that more closely convey how emotions are portrayedon faces in real life. It is widely known that stage acting and screen acting are different for this reason.
In the case of theWickedfilm, the more nuanced emotions that the actors are able to portray work very well.
In the case of theWickedfilm, the more nuanced emotions that the actors are able to portray work very well. The actors do a great job at expressing themselves through their faces and body language, and thiscreates a new level of intimacy that viewers of the stage production don’t get to have unless they are seated very close. Getting to see Elphaba’s face close up as she flies through the air in “Defying Gravity” is extremely special, and this is just another thing that the film format lends itself to.
