The path from stage to screen has been particularly perilous for “Wicked.”

The much-loved musical of the same name debuted 21 years ago and tells the story of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch of the North from “The Wizard of Oz.” Based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, it now stands as the fourth longest-running Broadway show in history, but the attempts to adapt it to the screen have come in fits and starts for more than a decade.

After further delays due to the pandemic and the 2023 actors’ strike, “Wicked” finally arrives in theaters Friday with some significant baggage. While the two stars — Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande — have enjoyed acclaim in various fields, with Erivo earning a pair of Oscar nominations for her work in 2019’s “Harriet,” neither has demonstrated the ability to carry a blockbuster film.

Also, director Jon M. Chu (“Crazy Rich Asians”) raised more than a few eyebrows when he announced the story would be spread across two separate films, the first of which arrives with a daunting runtime of 2 hours and 40 minutes. (The second film hits screens at this time next year.)

This image released by Universal Pictures shows director Jon M. Chu, center, with cast and crew on the set of the film “Wicked.” (Universal Pictures via AP)

On top of everything else, musicals remain a tough sell to audiences, particularly when Disney isn’t involved. (Eight of the 10 highest-grossing musical films came from the Mouse House.) One need only look to Steven Spielberg’s achingly beautiful 2021 remake of “West Side Story,” which earned rave reviews and industry acclaim, but flopped at the box office. See also: “Cats,” “Dear Evan Hansen,” “Nine” and Chu’s own “In the Heights.” (Actually, it’s best not to see “Cats” at all.)

While it remains to be seen if “Wicked” takes flight with paying audiences, Chu and company really made magic in creating a film that succeeds at nearly every turn and feels like an instant classic that’ll be enjoyed by generations to come.

“Wicked” opens with the citizens of the Land of Oz celebrating the death of Elphaba the Wicked Witch (Erivo), who was done in by a bucket of water. Glinda the Good Witch (Grande) is hailed as a hero, but things aren’t quite what they seem.

The story flashes back to the birth of Elphaba, whose green skin shocks and scandalizes her parents. The rest of the world follows suit, rejecting her solely for the color of her skin. The trauma turns Elphaba into an wounded introvert who reluctantly accompanies her paraplegic younger sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode) to the prestigious Shiz University, not to study herself, but to keep an eye on her sibling.

But Elphaba possesses the power of sorcery, even if she doesn’t understand or control it. Headmistress Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) sees it, though, and offers to personally teach Elphaba while putting her up in posh student housing with Galinda, a popular, flighty young woman used to getting what she wants. From there, “Wicked” follows the pair’s rivalry as it blossoms into a friendship and the lines between good and evil start to blur.

This image released by Universal Pictures shows Ariana Grande, as Glinda, left, and Cynthia Erivo, as Elphaba, in a scene from the film “Wicked.” (Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures via AP)

This first half of “Wicked” serves as Elphaba’s origin story, but Erivo’s Elphaba is far from a comic book character. The 37-year-old London native delivers an emotionally robust and intimately human performance that shines through her green makeup and fantasy world surroundings. Despite the cards she’s been dealt in life, Elphaba is a survivor and, eventually, a thriver.

Grande, meanwhile, understood her assignment and plays Galinda — who adopts the name Glinda midway through the film — as breezy and self absorbed but not totally callous. While she’s best known for her music, the 31-year-old began her career appearing in the Broadway musical “13” as a teenager and spent her formative years as a Nickelodeon star. She displays some masterful comedic chops in “Wicked” and never forgets she is merely a player in Elphaba’s story.

Related Articles

Movie review: ‘Red One’ a confounding Christmas action comedy

Movie review: ‘Gladiator II’ handily fights its way through a complicated plot

Movie Review: A luminous slice of Mumbai life in ‘All We Imagine as Light’

Movie review: ‘Memoir of a Snail’ is stop-motion walk through sadness, hope

Movie review: Judy Greer elevates holiday film ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’

Chu and writers Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox turned to Maguire’s book to further flesh out the storyline, while adding a few flourishes of their own. The changes work wonderfully and never feel forced or overstuffed. Indeed, by the time the leading ladies got to the musical’s signature act one closer “Defying Gravity,” I found myself thinking, “Wait, it’s already over?”

Production designer Nathan Crowley creates a truly immersive Oz full of vibrant colors and otherworldly touches like Shiz University’s circular, rotating library and the dazzling art deco/steampunk Emerald City. Paul Tazewell’s costumes are equally striking, with an emphasis on layering and textures that make them truly pop.

This image released by Universal Pictures shows a scene from the film “Wicked.” (Universal Pictures via AP)

In addition to strong, Oscar-worthy performances from the two leads, terrific actors populate the rest of the film, including Bowen Yang as Galinda’s bestie Pfannee, Jonathan Bailey as the impish prince Fiyero and the inimitable Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard of Oz. (Keep an eye on Bailey, who seems poised to step into leading man territory at any moment.)

If “Wicked” has a flaw, it’s that the CGI can, at times, come across as murky and cheap looking. But given how lovingly crafted and utterly compelling the rest of “Wicked” is, it’s a flaw that’s easy to overlook.

“Wicked”

Directed by: Jon M. Chu

Starring: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum

Rated: PG for action, thematic material and brief suggestive material

Should you go? Without a doubt, “Wicked” is sheer magic. 4 stars.