“Wicked Part One” and “Gladiator II” come out back-to-back Thanksgiving week
Last year, it was “Barbie” and” Oppenheimer” that opened at the same time and became box-office smashes and — later — Oscar winners each. “Barbenheimer” became a cultural phenomenon and a boon to a film industry that needed a lift after the pandemic had largely quieted it. This year, “Wicked, Part 1” and “Gladiator II” both come out the same day, just before the week of Thanksgiving, and look to duplicate that success. Both will appeal heavily to LGBTQ audiences, especially “Wicked.”
When it was announced that “Wicked” would star Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, some eyebrows were raised, and there were some concerns as to whether the pair could take on the roles of Galinda and Elphaba and mesh well together. Those concerns are now ancient history.
For the uninitiated, this is a precursor to the iconic “The Wizard of Oz” about how these two women became who they are. “Wicked” debuted on Broadway in 2003 — based on the novel by Gregory Maguire — and has become a global favorite.
Galinda, who will go on to be Glinda the Good Witch of the North, and Elphaba, the eventual Wicked Witch of the West, meet at Shiz University in the Land of Oz. Galinda is pampered and self-absorbed, used to getting her way. Elphaba is a classic outsider, and these two find themselves thrown together as roommates. How these two go from hating each other to becoming unlikely best friends is the basis of the story.
In addition to the out Erivo, the cast includes out actors Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero Tigelaar, a Winkie prince, and Bowen Yang as Galinda’s friend Pfannee of Phan Hall. Jeff Goldblum pops up late as the Wonderful Wizard of Oz and goddess Michelle Yeoh stars as Madame Morrible, the Headmistress of Shiz.
Directed by Jon M. Chu, who also directed the underrated film musical, “In the Heights,” and the crowd-pleasing “Crazy Rich Asians,” “Wicked, Part 1” is a long film, clocking in at over two and a half hours. Part one is about as lengthy as the entire musical it is based on, with the film ending with the iconic “Defying Gravity.” Part two is expected in 2025.
It’s beautifully cast, though, with Erivo bringing a vulnerability to Elphaba and Grande using ace comedic timing as the spoiled Galinda. The supporting actors have plenty of room to shine, too.
In all honesty, I’m not a huge fan of the stage musical. I like it more for its songs than its overall narrative stretch. Likewise, in its expanded form, “Wicked, Part 1” can be a little uneven. It has a boffo beginning, bogs down a little in the middle section, and feels padded but rebounds quite successfully. The last 45 minutes are expertly staged and end the film on a rousing note.
The music is mostly all there with some surprises and perhaps the year’s best cameo appearances. Most impressive of the early musical numbers are Erivo’s dazzling “The Wizard and I” and her duet with Grande on “What is this Feeling?” The climactic “Defying Gravity,” too, is staged so impressively, it negates some of the other issues with the film.
The sequel to Ridley Scott’s Oscar-winning “Gladiator,” which starred Russell Crowe as the unforgettable Maximus Decimus Meridius, “Gladiator II” may feel a little late and a little too much like the original, but it works. It stars two actors known for gay roles — Paul Mescal as Lucius Verus, who watched Maximus die, and Pedro Pascal as Marcus Acacius, who is responsible for the death of Lucius’ wife. There’s a secret revealed about who Lucius really is that the film’s trailer has already given away. The character has to enter the Colosseum and fight for his life after his home is taken over by Roman rulers.
Denzel Washington has a grand time as Macrinus, a former slave who Lucius eventually fights for. He creates a memorable bad guy without overdoing it and is a solid bet for a Best Supporting Actor nomination. Connie Nielsen returns from the original film as Lucilla, Lucius’s mother, and taking the campy place somewhat of Joaquin Phoenix from the original are Joseph Quinn as Emperor Geta and Fred Hechinger as Emperor Caracalla, cruel and over-the-top co-emperors and brothers of Rome.
Parts of the film are homoerotic. According to Washington, a gay kiss was cut from the final edit, however.
Scott stages some great action sequences, including many in the Colosseum, with sharks and various other creatures. Those are the heart of the film. From a narrative point of view, some of this feels confusing and the emotional impact isn’t nearly the same. Mescal isn’t the magnetic force that Crowe was in “Gladiator,” but he brings his own take to the central hero, while Pascal is a little disappointing.
Overall, this is rousing entertainment and should do robust box-office business. In this head-to-head matchup, “Wicked, Part 1” takes the crown, but both will have many fans.
“Wicked, Part 1” and “Gladiator II” are in area theaters.
Editor’s note: This article has been edited on November 22, 2024, to correct the misspelling of Bowen Yang’s name.