by In honor of Wicked now streaming on Peacock, I have decided to honor its greatness with an article on a mainly sports website. Why? Because it is just that good! Wicked is known for having powerful moments that not only put lumps in your throat at certain times, but at others, make you want to stand up and sing along. It is one of the most moving movies I have ever witnessed and if you pay close enough attention, you will notice over a dozen Easter eggs throughout it.
As for the most powerful moments that brought me to my feet or a lump in my throat, these are easily the biggest the five biggest ones in the movie. Please let me know if I missed any in the comment section below.
The opening scene
Crazy to think, but only seconds into this one it reaches out and grabs your attention. The Gulinda explanation of the Witches death sounds like a 911 call into a dispatch. At the same moment, you see Dorothy and her crew walking the yellow brick road back to OZ with the broomstick. It is subtle, but if you’re paying attention they are crossing “over the rainbow” right as this is going on and the flying monkeys smash through the window. Again, just seconds into the movie you are pulled in with powerful drama. This is not your grandparent’s Wizard of Oz folks.
Elphaba Thropp gets made fun of as a child
Elphaba is simply trying to read to her crippled sister about The Wizard of Oz, someone she idolizes. Sadly, it doesn’t last long as school children start making fun of her, a common theme throughout the early parts for the film. For anyone who has ever been made fun of as a child, it is hard to watch because it brings back painful memories. I know it did for me, but at the same time it makes Elphaba a sympathetic character and someone you want to get behind.
Elphaba sings about meeting the Wizard
After getting surprisingly enrolled into Shiz, Elphaba becomes encouraged at the thought of possibly meeting the Wizard, someone she has idolized since childhood. It is at this time we see her sing about it but also see her stumble upon a rock sculpture of The Wizard of Oz, which is actually Jeff Goldblum, the same character who had an affair with her mother. This is the first major sign that Elphaba is in fact, the biological daughter of The Wizard of Oz. Making her desire to meet him, even more impactful.
Ozdust Ballroom scene
Man oh man, if this doesn’t bring a lump to your throat, then you haven’t been paying attention. This is the moment when Gulinda seeing everyone make fun of and ostracize Elphaba, does a total 180. Gulinda coming to her rescue is easily the most powerful moment in the film. It’s the first time Gulinda realizes doing the right thing and friendship is more important than self-image and people pleasing. When her and Elphaba touch hands, it is a win for the little guys everywhere in life who have been bullied. Words of how powerful this was, simply do not do it justice, you need to see it to understand. I literally chugged a half can of Sprite so I wouldn’t cry in the theatre watching this.
The Final Scene
This is the climax for a reason. After meeting her bio-logical father, The Wizard of Oz, Elphaba realizes that he is evil and wants the animals to have zero freedom. This causes her to break away and at the same moment, Gulinda is left to make a choice of her own. When Elphaba fly’s away on her broomstick while Gulinda stays with The Wizard and Madame Morrible, it’s a powerful split in the climatic moments as they sing. “Defying Gravity”. Just as it looks as though Elphaba is going to plummet to Earth, her younger self appears to hand her the flying broomstick. Again, a moment so powerful I will only ruin it with words, you need to see it.
