I saw Wicked and it's about to become everyone's problem.
I have been changed (by Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero)... for good.
I’m bursting at the seems, patiently waiting for everyone to see Wicked in theaters so I can finally go full chatty-Kathy and squeal about my favorite parts.
Where do I even begin?! The set. The costumes. The choreography. The vocals. The opulence! For lack of a better word, the Wicked movie was pure magic.
With over 20 years on Broadway, Wicked has cultivated generations of loyal, passionate fans—fans so dedicated that there are entire sub-communities dedicating to analyzing how each Elphaba on Broadway delivers a two-second riff Defying Gravity. Needless to say, the movie had incredibly high expectations to meet. And meet them it did! The film struck the perfect balance of honoring the show’s origins while introducing fresh elements that elevated the story to new heights—without ever comprising or overshadowing the beloved story.
Jon Chu, the visionary that you are.
Jon Chu took one of Broadway's campiest, most over-the-top productions and brought it to the silver screen with the care and vision only a true Wicked fan could deliver. He crafted a film that welcomes everyone—from the most devoted Broadway enthusiasts to those who have no idea why the theater is suddenly a sea of pink and green—and all audiences in between.
While Wicked is undoubtedly a cinematic masterpiece, it’s far from Chu’s first. This is the same visionary behind Crazy Rich Asians, Step Up, and, for all the retired Beliebers out there, Justin Bieber’s Believe. Give this man all the awards—he’s earned them!
We must discuss Dancing Through Life.
Long ago (2006), in a land far, far away (a time before iPhones), a cinematic masterpiece called High School Musical premiered on Disney Channel. Millions of kids across the globe were glued to their cable TVs to witness the magic. While the entire movie was unforgettable, the moment Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens began performing Breaking Free, I swear the earth’s orbit shifted. It was as if we all collectively knew this was something special. My 10-year-old self was left completely awestruck.
Looking back, regularly belting out Breaking Free at the top of my lungs (both Zac and Vanessa’s parts, naturally) in my bedroom is a core childhood memory. For anyone between the ages of 25 and 35, Breaking Free is undeniably on the list of songs that defined our generation.
No musical number in recent history has come anywhere close to the cultural impact of Breaking Free—until now. Enter this unreal rendition of Dancing Through Life. I found myself grinning ear to ear, kicking my feet, and completely spellbound (get it?) by Jonathan Bailey’s captivating performance. Just thinking about it makes me positively giddy! I’ve already started listening to the song on repeat, and yes, I will be learning the choreography. Mark my words: Dancing Through Life is destined to have as profound a cultural impact as Breaking Free did back in the day.
Easter eggs galore.
One of the many ways the film honors its roots is through the dozens of Easter eggs cleverly sprinkled throughout. I won’t spoil anything for those who haven’t seen it yet, but for those who have, here’s a list of the most exciting Easter eggs, cameos, and references featured in the movie.
GTG, holding space for Defying Gravity <333
If this does not make sense, here is some required reading from Out Magazine.