“Good news, she’s dead!” the Ozians shout. “The Witch of the West is dead!”

Flames flicker on screen as the green 20-foot statue of Elphaba burns down to ash, followed by the vindictive cheers from the people of Oz singing “No One Mourns the Wicked.” But Galinda’s expression tells a different story, leading the audience to question whether or not Elphaba’s supposed wickedness is real.

“Wicked,” directed by Jon Chu and based on the massively successful musical, stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Galinda. The film explores themes of good versus evil, providing a thought-provoking commentary on power structures and prejudice by telling the backstory of Elphaba, better known as the Wicked Witch of the West.

The movie succeeds the 1939 film, “The Wizard of Oz.” It begins immediately after Dorothy throws a bucket of water on the Wicked Witch and she melts to her death, the notable ending of “The Wizard of Oz.”

“As someone who loves ‘Wicked’ the musical, I thought the movie did a great job keeping the spirit of the original story alive,” said senior Sojung Lee. “I was happy that they kept the Broadway vibe.”

“The movie carried a lot of emotion that I didn’t pick up on in the musical, and I cried several times,” she added.

Jon Chu’s direction breathes new life into this iconic tale, weaving together the radiant essence of Oz with deep and complex themes and storytelling. “Wicked” stuns the audience with sweeping landscapes and dazzling costumes to immerse the audience in a familiar yet fresh world.

The songs that defined the musical, such as Erivo’s rendition of “Defying Gravity,” served as the emotional centerpieces of the film. Grande delivered humor and sentiment with a voice as ethereal as her character’s iconic personality.

The chemistry between Erivo and Grande anchors the film and gives depth to the unshakable bond between Elphaba and Glinda. Their friendship remains the heart of “Wicked,” as it was rooted in misunderstanding but transformed by loyalty. This beautiful dynamic between these two friends immersed viewers into the movie. Junior Natalie Isea-Ore stated that their portrayal had an emotional authenticity that resonated deeply with her.

“Cynthia and Ariana’s performances felt real and relatable,” Isea-Ore shared. “You could feel the tension, growth, and the love between their characters, which made this story incredibly moving.”

Through this reimagined narrative of an already iconic Broadway play, “Wicked” challenges viewers to look beyond surface level judgements and consider what is truly heroism and villainy. The film enhances common themes such as societal prejudice while retaining the essence of the beloved tale.

“Wicked” achieves what few films do: it reimagines a cherished story while preserving the heart of its source. For both longtime fans and newcomers to the world of Oz, this film offers a fresh perspective on the tale that captivated the hearts of viewers many years ago. As the lights come up and the magic of Oz fades, it is certain that Wicked will remain in the minds of viewers long after they leave the theater.