Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande play Elphaba and Glinda in "Wicked." Credit: Universal Pictures While the performances in the film are sensational overall, Chu makes a series of downright confounding choices that undercut the rapturous flow of the Broadway production and even the perspective of the story he aims to exalt.

Any trip to Oz requires top-of-the-line craftsmanship, so a big shout-out to the sparkling cinematography of Alice Brooks, costume design of Paul Tazewell, production design of Nathan Crowley and the dazzling choreography of Christopher Scott. John Powell’s thrilling musical score, blending with Schwartz’s iconic tunes, is note-perfect.