HOLLYWOOD—I was almost certain I would have hated this movie. I knew in my gut I would NOT be entertained, damn was I wrong. I’m referring to the big screen adaptation of the hit musical, “Wicked.” I don’t love musicals. Just the notion of people bursting out in song and dance I find strange and unbelievable. You don’t just get into an epic fight with someone only moments later to burst out in song.

With that said, you’d have to be living under a rock if you’ve never heard about the Broadway sensation “Wicked” that starred Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth. It has finally arrived and at two hours and 40 minutes, I found myself glued to the screen from start to finish. Are the songs and musical numbers fun? Yes, but it is the narrative that really sold me because as a viewer you instantly connect to Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo). I’m going to say something people might find controversial, but so what, this is Erivo’s movie.

She is the heart and the strength of the musical and when she is on the screen you are glued to her. She exudes a charisma and fierceness that is hard to ignore. While I haven’t seen ALL the big Oscar-buzzy flicks, I can easily see why Erivo is a contender for Best Actress. What she does with the character is amazing, and that final number at the end of the movie that sets up Part Two, brilliant and mesmerizing. That is not to undersell Ariana Grande as Galinda, who we know at the beginning of the movie is the ‘Good’ witch, who shares the tale about the Wicked Witch of the West (Erivo).

Grande plays the popular girl and mean girl quite well, almost making me question if Grande was actually acting or portraying herself. Hated, and I mean hated her character for the first hour of the film, and then something happens that gives her a turnaround that softens her in a way that makes her intriguing to the viewer.

Elphaba has been bullied or shunned her entire life because of her green skin color, and she doesn’t have any favors with her father, Governor Tropp (Andy Nyman), who despises his daughter. Elphaba’s youngest sibling, Nessarose (Marissa Bode), is confined to a wheelchair and she is tasked with looking after her sister at the Sorcery at Shiz University. The Dean of the school is Michelle Yeoh, who is fantastic in this role as a mentor to Elphaba as she tries to help her harness her power.

Look, there are a lot of characters in this movie, but this really is about the relationship between Elphaba and Galinda. Most of the other characters are there and don’t give much. If there is anyone looking for that kinetic spark between Boq (Ethan Slater) and Galinda (Grande), you’re not going to see it in the movie; at least I didn’t. Not to mention I hated Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James as Pfannee and Shenshen, friends of Galinda who felt like they were doing too much for my liking. There are mean kids and annoying kids, both characters fell into the latter for me.

Perhaps the biggest question people will ask is whether you need to see the musical to enjoy the movie. The answer is no. I have never seen the musical, let alone listened to any of those popular songs. The writers do a phenomenal job of immersing you into a narrative that everyone, young and old alike can identify with the thought of being different. It might seem simple, but that simplicity works so well as a driving force for a movie that is quite long to begin with and delivers the emotions that takes you on this rollercoaster.

In addition, director John M. Chu, does a fantastic job, delivering this grand set pieces were as a viewer you feel like you’re with these characters as they take on the journey to discover the truths about the Wizard of Oz, people they think they can trust and people who they don’t trust, who they ultimately come to respect. The visual effects are very daring and special to the point that you don’t feel disappointed a single bit.

The pacing is perfect considering the length of this movie, which for most people the fatigue could kick in once you hit the two-hour mark, but Chu makes it feel so fresh and vibrant, because there is always something transpiring. Special note I loved Michelle Yeoh in her role as Madame Morrible, and Jonathan Bailey was fun as Prince Fiyero Tigelaar, who catches Galinda’s eye, but he is also smitten by Elphaba as well.

The entire family will have a hoot of a time watching “Wicked” and dare I say I’m counting down the days until Part Two arrives in theaters so I can see how it culminates. Yes, I’m not spoiling myself even though I know with the internet it will be easy to find. I want to enjoy that surprise, like I did watching this musical in the theater.