Earlier this month, director Jon M. Chu was awarded Best Director for his work on Wicked, the long-awaited stage-to-screen spin-off of The Wizard of Oz. The award came to a surprise for Chu, considering the production had been campaigned heavily for its performances and more cosmetic attributes. The award came to a surprise for me too. Though I like some of Chu’s earlier work, I felt that the filmmaker was out of his depth with his latest blockbuster.

Wicked digs into the relationship between green-skinned Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West (Cynthia Erivo), and Galinda, who would be later referred to as Glinda the Good (Academy Award nominee Ariana Grande). From strangers to friends to inevitable foes (which next year’s second part will delve into some more), audiences are offered a unique dynamic, featuring two outstanding lead performances, within a tried-and-true teen movie formula; equipped with student rivalries, a love triangle, and the occasional talking animal – okay, maybe the last part isn’t usually part of the plan. However, the anthropomorphic animals play a pivotal role in Elphaba’s personal passion. Since she can empathize with feeling different, she believes she can be the start to a change.

Surrounding this story are meticulously choreographed dance numbers starring large ensembles, and tons of special effects; all of which are impressive at first until they start weighing down the pace of the film. Chu has shown great talent for exhibiting the arts; from pop and lock showcases in his Step Up movies and reigning big personalities to find charming dynamics like in Crazy Rich Asians. Chu bites off more than he can chew with Wicked, and struggles to make this adaptation fit a different medium. Granted, I haven’t seen the stage show, but this movie feels too big for its platform. Put it this way: had this been the first time the material was ever represented, I would be recommending Chu to move his interests to Broadway and adapt the movie for live theatre.

There’s plenty to marvel at in Wicked, but just as many long-winded spectacles to trudge through as well. Unlike previous stage-to-screen efforts like Into The Woods, Wicked doesn’t take on its own cinematic vision. Jon M. Chu’s movie worked for lots of people, but I defy its gravity.

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Addison Wylie: @AddisonWylie