‘Wicked’ on digital, 4K Ultra, and Blu-ray for home viewing
Category: Blu-ray's and DVD'sCategory: Television and Streaming
The digital version of the hit movie Wicked is now available and the Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD versions will be available for purchase on February 4, 2025. The film, which debuted in theaters November 22, 2024, has captured the hearts and minds of audiences of all ages.
The story of OZ before Dorothy visited that amazing place with Munchkinland and the Emerald City, is played out on a grand scale. It was a massive hit as a stage play but on screen everything is larger and more amazing than what could be accomplished on a stage.
Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba, who people know as The Wicked Witch of the West due to the iconic 1939 movie that brought Dorothy to OZ. Ariana Grande is Galinda – later changed to Glinda – who we all know as the Good Witch from the 1939 film.
In this story Galinda is a self-centered girl who wants desperately to enhance any magical powers she might have, but mainly she wants to be the most popular student at Shiz University. It’s here where she meets Elphaba who becomes a student at the school merely by chance.
Elphaba tells her personal history to Galinda when they become best friends. Elphaba is a very kind girl who thinks more about others than about herself, in direct contrast to her roommate Galinda. But when Galinda realizes how kind she is, her animosity changes and she embraces Elphaba. Because of this, Elphaba, who has been an outcast at the school, suddenly becomes popular too.
There are many intricacies that happen in the school, and Elphaba becomes aware of the treatment of animals in the land. One by one they are disappearing and their usefulness is taken away. At one time animals were great teachers and helpful to all, but someone is changing this and Elphaba wants to go to the Emerald City to get the Wizard to help the animals.
Wicked is part one of the franchise. The story will be continued when Wicked 2 comes out in theaters this November. In the meantime, Wicked is available for those who have not seen it or those who have and want to see it again, and maybe many times before the continuation of the story of Elphaba and Glinda comes to audiences this fall.
There are additional features on the discs and digital versions. Ten deleted scenes as well as some little featurettes add to the background of the story and the film. “Welcome to Shiz” is an eight-minute featurette all about the school.
A really cute featurette titled “The Wonderful Wizard” has Jeff Goldblum looking at his character of the Wizard.
“A Wicked Legacy” has the cast discussing their experiences with the stage play and their memories of Kristin Chenoweth and Irina Menzel who originated the characters on Broadway. By the way, they make a brief cameo in this film.
A 45-minute “Making of” feature is entertaining and educational for those who want to deep-dive into the filmmaking process. It describes how a wide net was cast to find the perfect actors to bring the characters to the screen. They also talk about when the idea of making it a musical instead of a drama was floated, creators and producers were eager and anxious to bring Wicked to the stage. And the rest is history.
There is a “sing-along” version so those who absolutely love the songs will be able to join in the fun.
It is touted as the best movie of 2024. You be the judge and watch it in the comfort of your own home, or maybe have a wicked party, or Wicked party!
This is a highly produced and colorful film with amazing sets and song after song. Even though it is a fantasy there are a few elements that might be upsetting to young viewers – especially the aspects concerning the treatment of animals.
Wicked is rated PG for some scary action, thematic material, and brief suggestive material.
About the Author
Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.