Wicked – 4.5 stars

Great, wondrous fun, a spectacle that exceeds its promise.

Ariana Grande (Glinda the Good) and Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba the Wicked) are young schoolmates in the land of the Emerald City (at a brighter, more colorful Hogwarts), immediately antagonistic, then fast friends, and we see them as they begin their journey to Elphaba’s ultimate end (“I’m melting!”). History, as they say, is written by the winners, and now, we have the real story, to song.

Both actors are splendid, mastering very difficult vocals while establishing strong chemistry and exhibiting astute comic timing. Director Jon Chu (Crazy Rich Asians) moves the film at a dizzying pace but keeps space for the tender moments. And while I always felt the Broadway musical was marred slightly by a few uneven or underwhelming numbers, as committed to screen, “Dancing Through Life” is majestically choreographed and “I’m Not That Girl” subtly moving.

A few issues. First, there is an underdeveloped subplot of official antipathy to animals, who were once contributors to Emerald society but are now being shunned and caged. Not that this is a political potboiler, but the issue is presented perfunctorily as a fait accompli. Given that the matter is the breaking moment between the Wicked Witch and the Wizard (underplayed in a disinterested, almost blase’ manner by Jeff Goldblum), there needed to be more, and it could have been provided in the existing framework.

Similarly, when the girls get to Oz to meet the Wizard, there is an expository number to provide the basis for the rise of the Wizard and the source of his power. The number allows for the return of the Broadway originals Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, but it is clunky and not really all that explanatory. I needed my daughter to explain to me what the hell was going on.

Again, minor nits. Total blast!