Defying gravity is hard, sure. But defying expectations is nearly impossible, especially when it comes to adapting a property as universally beloved as the long-running Broadway musical “Wicked.” The show — itself based on Gregory Magurie’s 1995 novel that gave a backstory to Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West from L. Frank Baum’s "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" — became a worldwide sensation when it debuted in 2003. “Wicked” was a breath of fresh, fantastical air in the musical theater world. It achieved global success and touched the lives of millions of theater geeks and aspiring ingenues alike with its showstopping numbers and visionary production. What’s more, it made its stars Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth into household names for their roles as Elphaba and Glinda, respectively.

“Wicked” consistently dazzles, glittering with an abundance of star power and a rock-solid emotional center in Erivo’s not-so-wicked witch.

But that enormous level of cultural impact is precisely what makes a film adaptation of “Wicked” a dicey decision. The musical has become such a staple in the pantheon of pop culture that a movie version could turn a lucrative Hollywood no-brainer into a cringeworthy laughingstock if the source material wasn’t handled with the care that diehard fans expect. Then there’s the added challenge of making a film that is both faithful to the cherished stage production and accessible to audiences who are entirely unfamiliar with the show. Consider the hyper-critical eyes of the fanbases of stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, who were tapped to portray the film versions of Elphaba and Glinda, and the film could be faced with pressure that proves insurmountable.

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Despite being a lofty task, “Wicked" rises to meet its grand potential. The film is a bewitching spectacle, a classic holiday season event movie that brims with enough earnestness to keep even its fluffiest moments from becoming corny intellectual property slop. Director Jon M. Chu leans into the whimsy of Baum’s original story, crafting a version of Oz that feels reminiscent of the one in our collective consciousness without being a direct copy, while balancing that playful atmosphere with the darker........

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