Wicked
Jon M. Chu’sWickedwas among the most popular and acclaimed movies of 2024 , and one of its clear forte as a melodic is the rich , intricate dance number that always help oneself crowd the story fore . There areeleven songs in full inWicked , and each one serves a specific determination regarding the fictitious character and their respective journeys . Songs like “ Popular ” and “ What Is This Feeling ” help modernise the dynamic between Elphaba and Glinda , while songs such as “ One Short Day ” and “ Something Bad ” expatiate the history of Oz and labour the narrative forward .
The majority of these songs come with large - scale terpsichore numbersthat give homage to the original stage musical while change thing slightly for a more cinematic experience . Chu does an fantabulous job of bringing a new life sentence to these song , reference the rootage cloth through his choreography and even foreshadowingthings that will befall inWicked : For Good .
11Something Bad
Performed By Peter Dinklage & Cynthia Erivo
“ Something Bad ” is one of the few songs inWickedthat does n’t have any kind of dance choreography , but that ’s potential because of its glum contentedness and foreboding ambience . The song appears before long before Elphaba ’s deviation for the Emerald City , as she learns that something terrible is happening to the animals in Oz .
Although Wicked did won one Golden Globe , this still somehow felt like a cut give just how ill - fitting this awarding was for the blockbuster .
Although it does n’t rank among the highlights ofWicked ’s soundtrack , “ Something Bad ” is an important moment in the story that aid give purpose to Elphaba ’s decision at the end of the film . The want of dance stage dancing is made up for by the baleful usance of shadows and atmospheric storytelling , which Erivo and Dinklage gaining control dead .
10A Sentimental Man
Performed By Jeff Goldblum
Another song that does n’t feature much saltation choreography at all , “ A Sentimental Man ” is one of the film ’s last call before the grand “ Defying Gravity ” stopping point . The lyrics on the face of it research how the Wizard add up to his military position as the ruler of Oz , though its wry tone and shady language unveil something more sinister about his character . The song represents one ofWicked ’s major turning degree , and it ’s the final piece of calm before the inevitable storm .
AlthoughWickedmakes some adjustment and improvements to “ A Sentimental Man”for the screen , there still is n’t much dancing to be seen . The call is performed solely by Goldblum ’s opponent , and while the actor work huge amounts of charm to this spell of medicine , it in the end does n’t stand out among the rest .
9Dear Old Shiz
Performed By Shiz University Choir (ft. Ariana Grande)
“ Dear Old Shiz ” is often criticized for being one of the frail song inWicked , but it clearly do a design in establishing Glinda ’s character . It comes very ahead of time in the account , andit ’s the here and now that audiences are first introduce to Glinda in the past tense . There ’s an tilt to be made thatGlinda is the most of import character inWicked(at least the first part),so her early fit in Shiz are hugely important . That being said , the song itself does n’t really feature any dance choreography - but at least there ’s a large corps de ballet .
Despite the deficiency of dancing , this large corps de ballet of characters give the belief of a big circle slice that pays court to the Broadway output .
Despite the lack of dancing , this large corps de ballet of characters give the impression of a big bent piece that pays homage to the Broadway product . After “ No One Mourns The Wicked ” , this is the first minute in the movie that feel like a large - graduated table scene from the stage play , and the fact that it does n’t require trip the light fantastic to produce that signified of scope is arguably even more telling .
8I’m Not That Girl
Performed By Cynthia Erivo
“ I ’m Not That Girl ” is a polar second towards the middle ofWicked , severalise from Elphaba ’s position as she reckons with her romantic flavour for Fiyero and her jealousy of Glinda ’s effortless popularity . It ’s a crucial call that really speaks volume to Elphaba ’s quality , and the film does a large job of capturing her isolation by placing her in the background of these prospect and frame in her just outside the rest of fellowship .
Thelove trilateral between Elphaba , Glinda , and Fiyerois a huge part ofWicked ’s story , and “ I ’m Not That Girl ” is the instant that Elphaba last recognizes her own role in this moral force . The motion-picture photography is productive and powerful , as the lineament watches her two friends from the shadows and tries not to get involved . There ’s no dance as such , butthe stage dancing does a dandy Book of Job of exploring how Elphaba views herself as externalto the rest of the students .
7Defying Gravity
Performed By Cynthia Erivo (ft. Ariana Grande)
“ Defying Gravity ” is acrucial second in Elphaba and Glinda ’s friendly relationship , as the pair are forced to realise that their part in this story can not be the same . Elphaba is much too ambitious and moral to remain in Oz with the Wizard , and Glinda is too gallant to stand against him and take chances her reputation . It ’s a enormously powerful finale , and while there ’s small saltation in the view , it ’s choreographed excellently to expose this push - and - clout betweenWicked ’s chief case .
Wicked introduces Elphaba to the Wizard ’s Flying Monkeys , and here ’s how their role will modify in the upcoming subsequence , sinful : For Good .
“ Defying Gravity ” is much longer in Chu ’s film than in the original Broadway output , and this leaves space between the verses for significant character moments , such as the brace ’s escape on the spicy breeze balloon and Elphaba ’s conclusion to enchant the Scots heather and vanish out . These moments subsist in “ Defying Gravity ” in place of the expectant dance numbers of some other songs , and it give the scene a much grander feeling of story grandness .
Image via Universal Pictures
6The Wizard And I
Performed By Cynthia Erivo (ft. Michelle Yeoh)
“ The Wizard and I ” is arguablyWicked ’s first huge melodious phone number , and it ’s an highly important one . The Sung dynasty comes concisely after Elphaba ’s arrival at Shiz and details her womb-to-tomb dreaming to take on the Wizard , buther words are laced with foreshadowingas the audience already have a go at it from “ No One Mourns The Wicked ” that her relationship with the Wizard will ultimately be one of pain .
The choreography in “ The Wizard and I ” is much subtler and more individual than some ofWicked ’s big dance numbers , but it does a great job of developing Elphaba ’s character through her body lyric and some exquisite cinematic tricks .
The stage dancing in “ The Wizard and I ” is much subtle and more individual than some ofWicked ’s large saltation numbers pool , but it does a corking job of arise Elphaba ’s case through her physical structure speech and some bully cinematic tricks . For example , the moment in which the green of Elphaba ’s face is concealed by a stain - ice windchime is extremely poignant , pertain her love for the Wizard to her desire to be “ cured . ”
5Popular
Performed By Ariana Grande
“ Popular ” is Glinda ’s most important Sung inWicked , and it ’s arguably the peak of Ariana Grande ’s physical execution in the movie . The mode she moves and sings in “ Popular ” reveals so much about her part , from her superficiality to her growing fondness for Elphaba . It ’s another immense turning point in their relationship , andthe choreography reveals just how worked up Glinda is to be capable to divvy up her expertisewith a new friend .
However , the tart humor of “ Popular ” ’s language are also laced with an menacing prefiguration . It ’s finally Glinda ’s fixation with being well - liked and respected that forces her to stay behind at the oddment of the movie , unwilling to risk her repute for the not bad good . Her poise crusade and vain glimpse in the mirror in “ Popular ” reveal this about her reference long before this pivotal finale .
4No One Mourns The Wicked
Performed By Ariana Grande (ft. Andy Nyman, Courtney-Mae Briggs, Jeff Goldblum, Sharon D. Clarke & Jenna Boyd)
“ No One Mourns The Wicked ” isWicked ’s first melodious number , and it ’s the sodding manner to begin this account . Opening with a flash - forward helps audience sympathise where these character will at last end up , with Elphaba “ dead ” and Glinda work for the Wizard , which gives a whole new dimension to their actions in the repose of the moving picture .
The stage dancing itself is some ofWicked ’s most wholesale and fascinating , with the residents of Munchkinland using their huge number to maximum effect . It ’s dynamic and exciting in all the ways that an porta song should be , though Ariana Grande is actually the underdog of this piece with her multi - layered public presentation that takes on a raw significance followingWicked ’s ending .
3What Is This Feeling
Performed By Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande
The competition between Elphaba and Glinda is unquestionably the highlighting ofWicked ’s first half , and “ What Is This opinion ” perfectly summarise this dynamic . It ’s one of the movie ’s funniest songs , with plenty of humorous insults throw off between the two characters , butit ’s still very blithesome thanks to the live and upbeat dancing stage dancing .
Wicked has been an overwhelming succeeder at the worldwide box office , proving that The Wizard of Oz is an undeniably profitable franchise .
What ’s most interesting about “ What Is This tactile sensation ” is how it presents the animalism of Elphaba and Glinda ’s relationship in a totally different way to “ Defying Gravity . ” Here , they ’re always push out from each other and their motion are highly sharp , whereas ulterior song have them performingtogetherand bouncing off each other with their warm chemistry .
2One Short Day
Performed By Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande (ft. Idina Menzel & Kristin Chenoweth)
“ One Short Day ” is the song that scar Elphaba and Glinda ’s arrival in the Emerald City , andit ’s one ofWicked ’s most upbeat and plus songs- despite the tragedy that ’s not too far behind . It ’s poppy and catchy , and everything about the choreography represents that , with deal of background dancer and active camera movements to capture the characters ’ sentiency of awe .
This call also features a major alteration from the Broadway production , with Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth making melodious cameos and explaining some of the lore behind the Wizard and his witching Grimmerie .
This song also have a major alteration from the Broadway production , withIdina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth making melodious cameosand explain some of the traditional knowledge behind the Wizard and his magical Grimmerie . Their involution helps divide this variant of “ One Short Day ” from the original cast recording , and their brief roles help to seamlessly further the story .
Image via Universal Pictures
Image via Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures
