November 22, 2024 saw Wicked: Part 1 released into theaters nationwide. With Ariana Grande as Glinda, and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, both musical theater fans and pop music fans were brought into the theater. The movie is based on the hit Broadway musical, Wicked, the origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba, and also follows the rise of the Good Witch of the North, Glinda. Whether it is the powerful songs or the wonderful actors, this movie received a well-deserved 89% Rotten Tomatoes.

Probably the most well-known song from the musical, “Defying Gravity”, had a very powerful rendition by the wonderful Cynthia Ervio. Fans are mostly talking about the famous “battle-cry” at the end of the song. It has gone viral on TikTok, with many people recreating it, or using it as a joke, with Erivo’s viral “That’s my line” Target commercial. 

Not only did Erivo kill it on the big screen, singer Ariana Grande lived out her lifetime dream of playing Glinda. She did a terrific job portraying the character, and left viewers speechless by not only her singing and acting, but her and Erivo’s on-screen chemistry. Not only do these characters become best friends in this movie, but Grande and Erivo have become very close outside of the set.

Many of us at The Eagle’s Cry watched Wicked, and we all have mixed feelings about it.

Senior Nora Kerrigan has nothing but good things to say about the movie: “I thought it was so amazing! Best movie of 2024!”

Senior Eva Neamonatis agreed, saying “It exceeded all of my expectations!” On the other hand, some people have some other things to say about the movie.

Mr. Malossi said, “I think Cynthia Ervio is a wonderful singer, and her performance was moving. However, Adele Dazeem is a far better stage performer and did a way better job with the hook at the end of ‘Defying Gravity.’ Erivo had an opportunity to make it her own, but she blew it.”

If you have not gone out to see Wicked, go now, and never forget to hold space between the lyrics of “Defying Gravity!”