‘Wicked: Part 1’ 4K Ultra HD movie review

Director John M. Chu tackled the adaptation of a mammoth award-winning Broadway musical to the acclaim of critics and audiences last winter and the movie magic now moves to ultra-high definition home theaters in Wicked: Part 1 (Universal Studios Home Entertainment, rated PG, 2.39:1 aspect ratio, 160 minutes, $34.98)

The enveloping origin story of the green-skinned Wicked Witch of the West, aka Elphaba Thropp (Cynthia Erivo), and her relationship with an egotistical rich roommate Galinda “Glinda” Upland (Ariana Grande) plays out as they study at famed Shiz University in Oz.

Their complex friendship strains due to a love triangle with Prince Fiyero Tigelaar (Jonathan Bailey) and both being eventually influenced by an overbearing wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum) and Shiz Dean of Sorcery Studies Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh).

A subplot about the persecution of intelligent-talking animals (including a goat history professor, Dr. Dillamond) being removed from society adds some emotional weight to a culture clearly controlled by vanity and the not-so-wonderful wizard with nefarious intentions.

Grand-scale music numbers accompany hits from the original theatrical show such as “Dancing Through Life,” with rotating cylinders of library book shelving and ladders nicknamed tornado wheels and a citizen-packed introduction to Emerald City revealing the origin of the wizard in “One Short Day.”

This “part 1” movie ends just as the good stuff is about to begin with Elphaba branded a wicked witch by Madame Morrible and forced to escape Oz on her flying broomstick, bitter and out to strategize revenge on a charlatan wizard and her former mentor.

Fans of the original film will be most appreciative of the inclusion of “The Wizard of Oz” movie mythos such as a brief appearance by Dorothy and her cohorts following the yellow brick road as well as the origins of the sleeping poppies, red ruby slippers, the arrival of the wizard, and the witch’s famed broomstick and flying monkey guards.

I’ll admit that the songs were melodically frilly, forgettable and fairly inconsequential when compared to many of the larger plot lines revealed in this first act. Simply understanding the lyrics might have helped and made for a more impact when hearing “No One Mourns the Wicked,” for example.

Only Elphaba emotionally belting out “Defying Gravity” at the end of the movie really caught my musical theater attention.

Slight character overload and run time bloat but packed with eye candy, “Wicked: Part 1” will not disappoint fans looking to savor every moment, costume, location and tulip as they dive deeper into the land of Oz.

4K in action: The 2160p-popping clarity and high dynamic range enhancements capture the color and depth of an expansive production design engulfing the wonderful world of Oz, rich with fields of flora and fauna and the varied architecture for Shiz, Munchkinland and a stunningly epic Emerald City.

Items and moments that are impeccable to examine include a multihued crystal dance hall; the gold cogwheels; ornate undercarriage and shiny green body of the Emerald City train; multicolored hummingbirds ringing bells and drying painted nails; a massive animated robotic head of the wizard surrounded with flames punctuating its words; and the blue-furred monkeys painfully growing wings.

Costuming is equally impressive highlighted by the ruffled black dress and pointed hat of Elphaba set against her emerald green and freckled skin and Galinda’s various shades of pink surrounding her in everything she wears and owns.

At one point Galinda is dancing in all pink hues down a hallway near the Wizard’s throne, and she never gets washed out, another testament to the high dynamic range enhancements to balance the rich and vibrant colors.

Best extras: Fans will love the digital goodies contained in the 4K disc.

First, and above all else, viewers get a pair of optional commentary tracks starting with a sparse but enthusiastic solo effort by the director.

Mr. Chu delivers a production-themed, often scene-specific narrative checking off all of the standard topics including story themes, camera choreography, casting, set design, creating the animals, costuming, the chemistry of the leads, the songs and practical effects.

His nostalgia nuggets include using a pair of babies for Elphaba; Lin-Manuel Miranda wanting to be in the film to ask Galinda if she was a friend of Elphaba; the wizard being partly inspired by Walt Disney; and the flying monkeys were considered classic Universal Monsters.

Next, Ms. Erivo and Ms. Grande sit together and reflect on their performances and full bond as friends, sometimes even finishing each other’s sentences. They do not intrude on many of the scenes, leaving some gaps in the commentary.

However, what a great treat for fans to hear from the leads with plenty of love in the room as they explore themes and rationales of their characters and interactions, their favorite scenes, choreography, costuming, the practical sets and offer plenty of nostalgia.

Tidbits include that the Munchkin homes were functional; many of the performers seen were in the various stage casts of “Wicked”; they filmed the opening scene in very cold weather; how they chose the best green lenses for Ms. Erivo’s eyes; and Ms. Grande being too nervous to write a letter on screen. 

Next, a 45-minute cast and crew love fest gets disguised as a production overview that covers the director’s vision, casting, the dance numbers, singing live on the sets, the large set designs of Shiz, Emerald City and Munchkinland (including planting 9 million tulips), the Mayan temple brick style in Wizard’s throne room and Ms. Erivo’s stunt work during the flying scenes.

Another trio of short featurettes cover creating Shiz including the production design and costumes, Mr. Goldblum’s wizard and his effects and the scene-stealing return of the original actresses from the stage musical Idina Menzel (Elphaba) and Kristin Chenoweth (Galinda) making cameos in the film.

Finally, a sing-along version of the film is included, introduced by Ms. Erivo and Ms. Grande (with vocal warm-ups, no less). The karaoke-style presentation has words to follow highlighted in gold with sparkles crackling above each.