Wicked

The smash stage musical by Stephen Schwartz - inspired by The Wizard of Oz - gets the film treatment with this opulent if slightly indulgent adaptation, which won two Oscars for its production and costume design. Part I is the origin story of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), the green-skinned sorceress who ultimately becomes Oz's cackling Wicked Witch of the West. Arriving at Shiz University, where she struggles to fit in, she meets the self-absorbed vision of pink Galinda (Ariana Grande-Butera), who is destined to be the Good Witch of the North. Director Jon M Chu (In the Heights) is in full command of the film's big musical numbers, such as The Wizard and I and the barnstorming Defying Gravity, aided by the terrific Erivo and Grande-Butera (the pop star steals every scene going). There's also fine work from Michelle Yeoh as school principal Madame Morrible and Jeff Goldblum as Oz's charlatan wizard. An overlong run time aside, this is a mouth-watering musical packed with power.