Given all of the attention and my own appreciation of The Wizard of Oz franchise, I decided to see the new movie for myself. I can say that it exceeded my expectations and I found myself fully immersed in the village of Munchkinland. From the breathtaking choreography to stunning special effects, the film was extraordinary, beautifully tying in themes of self-acceptance, friendship, and female empowerment.

Cynthia Erivo’s acting performance was particularly striking. Her ability to sing while completing difficult stunts, strapped to multiple harnesses, and swinging mid-air, is nothing less than impressive. But it’s no surprise, given her previous experience on Broadway, that she was able to do such an amazing job.

While Wicked was a wonderful movie, I have to say that I expected a prequel of such a story to be a lot more colorful. For the majority of its runtime, the film almost appeared to have a dull filter on, making an iconic, whimsical fantasy seem somewhat lifeless and drab. But overall, what it lacks in cinematography it makes up for in storytelling. The characters undergo compelling development and growth, making the plot heavily engaging all the way through. If you’re a fan of Ariana Grande or Wizard of Oz like me, I recommend watching this movie. I look forward to seeing part two in theaters next year!