‘Bad’ review: Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo wish for movie soundtrack magic

They are not bad is one of the most anticipated films of 2024, as it brings to the big screen the three-time Tony Award-winning musical that defined a generation of theater kids, with a Hollywood-level showcase of song, dance, and star power. As the story of the origin of the Wicked Witch told in a place of sympathy, the film is intended to make us believe in magic again. But even actors boasting two-time Academy Award nominee Cynthia Erivo, pop star Ariana Grande, Bridgerton dreamboat Jonathan Bailey, Academy Award-winner Michelle Yeoh, and the one and only Jeff Goldblum, would-be director Jon M. Chu (The rich of AsiaAt the height) to meet the high bar fans will think about such practice? Especially if he only catches half of it in the middle The Bad: Part 1?

Despite the excitement from fans of the drama, online criticism has attacked the film since the first photos and images released by Universal Pictures. Complaints were made that Chu’s vision of Oz was washed out, with much darker colors than we have come to expect from previous L-inspired media. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, including the years 1939 The Wizard of Ozin 1978 The Wizand a lively Broadway production based on Gregory Maguire’s vision of the opposite, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. And when the first teaser hit, giving an indication of what kind of work Erivo could do as a witch named Elphaba, social media was abuzz with concern over how she hit that one note. With the bold choice to split the musical into two films, Chu drew more eyebrows. So, how does this all pan out? Were fans right to be concerned? Actually, yes.

While the film’s performances are generally impressive, Chu makes a series of confusing choices that diminish the fun flow of the Broadway production and even the idea of ​​the story it aims to convey.

Where The Bad: Part 1 the end?

As the trailers suggest, this begins They are not bad the movie ends with “Defying Gravity,” a rousing song that plays as a moving climax to the first act of the theatrical production. This means a lot The Bad: Part 1 takes place at Shiz University, where future evil witch Elphaba (Erivo) and good witch Glinda (Grande) first meet. However, the screenplay from Dana Fox and They are not badWriter Winnie Holzman sticks firmly to the source material, opening the film with the news that the Wicked Witch is dead. After the munchkins rejoice in a song of schadenfreude (“No One Mourns the Bad”), Glinda reflects on the friendship of her friend, Elphaba, moving the film to a flashback of a bad one-night stand with a green child who was a friend. the result of being heavily exploited for it. From then on, their time at Shiz becomes the focus.

There is a kinetic energy to all of this, showing Grande’s boundless energy throughout the film. But here’s where Chu’s choice starts to get weird. Although this is a story about Elphaba, it is told from the perspective of her serious, proudly sarcastic girl, and her inspirational best friend. Glinda’s view of the world is clear from her clothes, which are called pink, ultra-femme, flouncy, and always on the border of too much. However, Chu covered her pinks and Elphaba’s greens with yellow-gray lettuce. Perhaps this is meant to show how Glinda’s vision of Oz will deteriorate over the course of the story, but it also makes the film incredibly dull compared to all the other Oz films.

This gray really interferes with the amazing sets that Shiz has built. Designed as a cross between Hogwarts and BarbieLand, Shiz University is supposed to be a magical, magical place, where the possibilities feel limitless. And yet, despite its thoughtful and beautiful set, the pale palette and claustrophobic cinematography make it a tough place. This conflicts with the opinion of Glinda, who easily steps into the role of Queen Bee, and even Elphaba, who quickly accepts this position as a way to find her place in the end (“The Wizard and I”).

This ominous cloudiness also dissolves into what would otherwise be wonderful musical numbers, ending the wink at your difficulty. In “Dancing Through Life,” dashing prince Fiyero (a perfect Bailey) sings about his devil-may-care philosophy in a library full of students who park cars on human-sized wheels of bookshelves. And no doubt that’s fun, yet this idea mocks his declarations, belittling their passion as we enjoy it.

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are unequally matched.

Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda in “Wicked.”
Credit: Universal Pictures

It’s no easy task to step into the role of these two iconic characters, as each character can be compared to all the Elphaba and Glinda that have come before, reaching all the way back. The Wizard of OzMargaret “and your little dog too!” Hamilton and Billie Burke, not to mention They are not bad‘s starring Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth. Undoubtedly, the bar is very high for Grande, who is better known for her catchy pop songs than her catchy songs. Broadway stint in 13 in 15 years. However, she is a formidable force to be reckoned with They are not bad.

As he plays in his time Saturday Night Live last month, she delighted as the self-centered pop singer Glinda. There are echoes of Chenoweth’s Glinda in Grande’s broad sense of humor. But the pop star’s Glinda is steady, making the cringeworthy moments – like the tossing of her sensible hair – comically sharp. Grande embraces the portrayal of this wicked girl/beautiful witch who enters the theater, supported by her snark-smiling sidekicks, wonderfully portrayed by Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James. Glinda’s reading is delivered by Grande with a beaming smile that makes it so clear. His dancing is interrupted when he is serious. His “Famous” – one of the show’s most popular numbers – has a wonderful twist as well finally, finally as is clearly seen They are not bad demands.

Erivo is approaching They are not bad like a famous drama. Traditionally, They are not bad‘s Elphaba was written with teen-misfit snark, and artfully so, as Holzman’s previous claim to fame was creating a unique teen drama series. So Called My Life. While the dialogue is often the same in this adaptation, Erivo pulls his lines. Where previous versions of Elphaba might have used a sense of self-righteousness as a weapon against her bullies, this Elphaba is more vulnerable to being naked, speaking in despondent whispers or stern shouts.

It’s a bold choice, but it throws off Glinda and Elphaba’s power. Like Daria and Quinn Morgendorffer or Wednesday Addams and Enid Sinclair, they are the foil, the darkness and the sunshine, the anti-social sides and the brilliance of the “dumb blonde” – but this Elphaba is spoiled. The slightly squinted and downcast eyes make up most of Elphaba’s non-singing screen time for Act 1, which might not have been a problem if Chu had put Act II in Act II. They are not bad. But as it is, Erivo’s Elphaba doesn’t fully come to life until she and Glinda arrive in the Emerald City (“One Short Day”). This means important moments like the scene in the Ozdust Ballroom, where Elphaba and Glinda finally bond, feel awkward and long.

The Bad: Part 1 it’s wonky, but sometimes awesome.

Bronwyn James and Bowen Yang as Glinda’s friends in “Bad.”
Credit: Universal Pictures

Chu’s decision to turn Act 1 into a young musical is marred by his dirty color palette, cinematography full of Shiz people (thankfully things are opening up in the Emerald City), and directing his leading lady to play a notorious witch . The show, heralded for its high-energy song numbers, stage show, and sense of humor, They are not bad is not properly addressed by these decisions. However, some sections will certainly have a happy audience.

Beyond Erivo’s thrilling performance of the final number and Grande making a meal every time on screen, Bailey – who ate Bridgerton fans raved about as Anthony in Season 2 – he’s having a great time playing the flirty dead guy Part 1. His highlight is “Dancing for Life,” but even his sober look at his crushes and flirting with any Shiz student who crosses his sexist path is entertaining. As Madame Morrible, Yeoh is given little to do but look good, but she does so with aplomb. Marissa Bode and Ethan Slater – as Elphaba’s sister Nessarose and her boyfriend Boq – strongly match the screen presence of the famous names around them. Goldblum clearly enjoys playing the sorcerer, and does it with a dizzyingly clever and seductive charm. James and Yang are well cast as Glinda’s socially-climbing toedies, who love gossip as much as they improvise wild one-liners. They’re so funny, you’ll find yourself scanning the crowd, hungry for more.

The musical numbers are hit and miss. “Popular” and “Defying Gravity” are worthy highlights of the fun tone and stage that embraces the cinematic genre, using close-ups, stunts, or high-flying antics like suits. But others feel out of place, such as “The Wizard and Me” being shot in a CG setting that feels empty and unrealistic, diminishing the song’s optimism. Overall, They are not bad it’s a long journey, dragged down by Chu’s more confusing choices. If you think about it, a film that could be defined by its sense of hope, following a strong and successful woman of color as she defies a cruel man, feels tainted by a gray disappointment, telegraphing the film’s climax. So, it’s hard to watch They are not bad play and don’t wish for something stimulating that allows us a safe space to dream of something better.

However, even a low exposure cannot make the high resolution of the film less bright. Sad and unpleasant as it is, They are not bad it’s fun, sometimes funny, uplifting, and ultimately inspiring despite itself.

They are not bad opens in theaters Nov. 22.