On Nov 22, 2024, Wicked Part 1 was released with Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, students share their thoughts on the iconic Broadway remake.
By: Isabella Guijarro and Scarlett Davila
With the release of the new Wicked movie, many opinions have been floating around many students’ heads including our own. The movie is a remake of the infamous Broadway musical Wicked which starred, Idina Menzel as Elphaba and Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda. The production won many awards, broke box-office records worldwide, and became the second-highest-grossing musical.
Student Opinion
During the Thanksgiving break, many students fled to the theaters and watched the remake but others did not. From the casting, advertisement, and screen time come the many opinions and complaints of students.
Ava Dodson, ‘28, says, “I feel like a lot of people underestimated Arianna Grande about her playing Glinda but she really played the part, and same with Cynthia she was a good person to play Elphaba.”
Lola Sullivan, ‘28, says, “The movie went more in-depth with different characters allowing people to know more about background characters.”
Cami Lewis, ‘27, says, “I think the advertisements were annoying since it was everywhere, the movie was good but the ads were a bit overkill.”
Our Opinion
Isabella Guijarro, ’28: During Thanksgiving break, I was one of the many students who went to watch Wicked. I agree with Ava when she says the actors did a good job of accurately portraying the characters because both Arianna and Cynthia could channel their emotions to make some of the scenes more powerful.
For example, in one scene where Elphaba is seen dancing by herself and is being ridiculed by other characters, Glinda steps forward and mirrors her, but when filming Arianna had not learned the dance before making Glinda learning the dance seem so much more real.
Scarlett Davila, ’28: During Thanksgiving break, I did not watch Wicked. Although I didn’t see it, every time I went on social media, went to the store, or watched TV, I would get bombarded with Wicked advertisements.
I agree with Lewis when she says the movie went overboard on the advertisements and it really repulsed me. I will not be watching the movie Wicked due to everything being spoiled or turned into a partnership with the movie.
Isabella Guijarro
Scarlett Davila
Tags: arts & entertainment, opinion, Redwood, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, Redwood Musical, redwood rangers, visalia ca, wicked
