Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum also star in Jon M. Chu's 'Wizard of Oz'-inspired fantasy, based on the $1.7 billion Broadway blockbuster.

Chu’s prequel and origin story — based on the long-running Broadway musical which debuted in 2003 — she’s Elphaba Thropp (Cynthia Erivo), a shy, misunderstood young woman born with special powers and a viridescent tone.

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande play Elphaba and Glinda in "Wicked." Credit: Universal Pictures While the performances in the film are sensational overall, Chu makes a series of downright confounding choices that undercut the rapturous flow of the Broadway production and even the perspective of the story he aims to exalt.

LENGTH 2:40 WHERE Opening Friday at area theaters BOTTOM LINE Part one of the Broadway musical’s big-screen version is a thrilling throwback to the golden age of Hollywood musicals. "Are people born wicked?

"Wicked" stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as Elphaba and Glinda in Jon M. Chu's adaptation of the iconic stage musical. The film is a net win.

"Wicked," Jon M. Chu's musical adaptation starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, defies the odds – and, yes, gravity.

Rudimentary math suggests more than 15 million on Broadway alone. And now we have “Wicked” the movie, director Jon M. Chu’s lavish, faithful, impeccably crafted (and nearly three-hour) ode to this origin story of Elphaba and her (eventual) bestie — Glinda,

Jon M. Chu’s film of the hit Broadway musical is an absolute thrill: wonderfully cast, beautifully sung, dazzlingly designed and costumed, writes Moira Macdonald.

The movie version of Broadway’s beloved musical, Wicked has been a long time coming since the play’s opening in 2003, but it is finally here, and quite frankly not only soars cinematically, it exceeds all expectations.