'Wicked' review: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande are fantastic as witchy BFFs

As one might say in Oz, “Wicked” is thrillifying in its melodiousness even if overlongical and ponderrific.

Even with a few missteps, it’s easy to get swept up in director Jon M. Chu’s colorful spectacle (★★★ out of four; rated PG; in theaters Friday), adapted from the popular Broadway musical (based on the Gregory Maguire book) and a revelatory prequel to “The Wizard of Oz.” The song-filled character study of the Wicked Witch of the West’s early years ekes out great performances from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande that’ll wow musical theater kids and old-school “Oz” fans alike. And while it hasn’t been marketed as such, this “Wicked” is the first of a two-part epic that – unlike, say, “Dune” – at least pulls off a truly soaring closing cliffhanger.

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Actually, “Wicked” begins with an ending: The Wicked Witch is no more, melted in a puddle of water, while Dorothy and pals ease on down the Yellow Brick Road. After the well-known events of “The Wizard of Oz,” the Munchkins are celebrating the villain’s death when Glinda the Good Witch (Grande) shows up in a flying bubble and is interrogated about her own connections to the dead baddie.

Can't get enough of 'Wicked'? Everything to know about Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo movie

She explains that the green-skinned menace was named Elphaba (Erivo) and that they went to Shiz University together. Glinda, a self-centered mean girl, almost immediately butts head with the reserved but confident Elphaba, who is tasked to watch over her sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode) at school. In a tense moment where a faculty member attempts to move Nessarose's wheelchair, a protective Elphaba showcases her considerable (but raw) magical ability, which puts her on the radar of professor Madam Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) as well as sorcerer wannabe Glinda.

Elphaba and Glinda become roommates and their mutual loathing fuels the lively duet “What Is This Feeling?” But following a couple acts of kindness and a practical joke gone wrong, not to mention a quasi-love triangle with charmingly rogueish Prince Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), Elphaba and Glinda grow to be best friends. When Elphaba gets the chance to meet the enigmatic Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum, toning down his usual quirkiness), the duo heads to the Emerald City, where Elphaba learns that Oz isn't as great and wonderful as it looks, embraces her power but also makes enemies.

Erivo is often the best part of whatever she’s in, from “Widows” to “Harriet,” and she stuns in a role that runs a gamut of emotions. Elphaba maintains a smirking facade to hide her inner vulnerability but also revels in what she can do even in the most dangerous of circumstances. (And, hoo boy, she nails the money notes of signature showstopper “Defying Gravity.”) While Grande is known as a singer – and doesn’t disappoint in that area – anyone who watched her kid sitcoms “Victorious” and “Sam & Cat” can attest to her subtle comic timing, which she utilizes in several scenes (and her big number “Popular”) with hair-whipping, doe-eyed zest.

The enchanting pair keeps “Wicked” watchable as many scenes drone on or feel stretched and overcooked. Chu’s movie lasts two hours and 41 minutes – almost the same runtime as the entire Broadway production (with intermission), even though it only covers the stage musical’s first act. You feel it, too, especially in an extended opening bit about the Wicked Witch’s demise and a busy “Defying Gravity” sequence that clocks in at a good 15 minutes. The latter still gets the job done, but some judicious editing would have gone a long way. At the same time, other aspects could have used more depth, such as character development and a key animal rights subplot. (Those monkeys didn’t always fly, FYI.)

“Wicked” does stick mostly to the musical script, maybe for the best considering the show’s protective fandom. There are nifty “Wizard of Oz” Easter eggs, including musical cues and character footwear, and clever dialogue that hints at what’s to come in the story. Plus, Chu really immerses you in the fantasy, with awesome production design, well-choreographed song-and-dance numbers and folks throwing oddball words like “scandalocious” in conversation.

The movie musical is both superfluous and splendiferous, yet it casts a big-hearted spell that you’d have to be wicked not to appreciate at least a little.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ‘Wicked’ movie review: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande make magic