Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande star as the witches of Oz in the first of a two-part adaptation.

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In fact, where Erivo most distinguishes herself is in her close-up acting.

Ariana Grande is Glinda and Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba in WICKED

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in ‘Wicked’.Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

But though Grande nails Galindas aesthetic and attitude, she struggles a bit with the characters signature song.

ButWickeds other most famous song, Popular, is difficult in a different way.

Universal Pictures

Dancing Through Life, on the other hand, is the adaptations biggest musical accomplishment.

Ariana Granda is Glinda in WICKED

Galinda (Ariana Grande) and her fans in ‘Wicked’.Universal Pictures

But theres more to the look of a musical movie than dancing and costumes.

Still, its the task of a good adaptation to use a new medium to elevate the material further.

Thats just speculation at this point, though.

Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba and Ariana Granda is Glinda in WICKED

Cynthia Erivo (L) and Ariana Grande in ‘Wicked’.Universal Pictures

If only its imagery had a little more magic!Grade: B