"Wicked" continues to defy gravity, soaring to new heights at the box office and spellbinding moviegoers as they take a trip to the Land of Oz. The film, adapted from the popular Broadway musical based on Gregory Maguire's book, and directed by John M. Chu , is a revelatory prequel to “ The Wizard of Oz, " and the first of a two-part epic .
It follows Elphaba and Glinda, who "meet as students at Shiz University in the fantastical Land of Oz and forge an unlikely but profound friendship," according to the film's synopsis. Their "extraordinary adventures in Oz" ultimately sees them "fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West." The film has created magic at the box office, pulling in $114 million at U.
S. and Canadian theaters, plus $50.2 million in international markets, for a global total of $164.
2 million, marking the biggest opening weekend for a film based on a Broadway musical. USA TODAY movie critic Brian Truitt gave the film ★★★ out of four , writing that "even with a few missteps, it’s easy to get swept up in director Jon M. Chu’s colorful spectacle ( rated PG) .
" "The movie musical is both superfluous and splendiferous, yet it casts a big-hearted spell that you’d have to be wicked not to appreciate at least a little. The song-filled character study of the Wicked Witch of the West’s early years ekes out great performances from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande that’ll wow musical theater kids and old-school “Oz” fans a.
