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It feels like since its Broadway debut 20-plus years ago, a movie adaptation of "Wicked" has been discussed. It has proven to be such a juggernaut on the stage that it's shocking it has taken so long for it to make its way to screen. The movie is bound to please diehard fans of the musical, and it has enough to offer those new or agnostic to the "Wicked" story as well.

There have been countless rumors of directors and stars attached to the movie adaptation, but Jon. M Chu ("Crazy Rich Asians" and "In the Heights") is behind the camera as director, which allows him to let his proven track record of glitz and flair be splashed across the screen. At times, "Wicked" can look dazzling and envelop you in its bubblegum storybook aesthetics. Other times, however, the CGI of it all can be distracting.

"Wicked" tells the story of "The Wizard of Oz" before Dorothy and company entered the picture. The story is structured from the recounting of Galinda (Ariana Grande-Butera), whose character would later be popularized as Glinda the Good Witch in "The Wizard of Oz." The other half focuses on Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), who has had a hard life fitting in because she was born entirely green.

Galinda and Elphaba meet at Shiz Academy, which is essentially Hogwarts for theater enthusiasts. Galinda is traditionally beautifully and outgoing, where Elphaba has always lived her life on the margins and is used to being ridiculed in public for her appearance. Like anyone else, Galinda is taken aback and not above staring at Elphaba, but an unlikely friendship begins to unfold.

At two hours and 40 minutes, "Wicked" can feel both busy and like its trying to fill in the Broadway show length of time (and ultimately stalls out in the final act), but Erivo and Grande-Butera have such a wonderful dynamic together that they make the movie as entertaining as it can be for first time "Wicked" goers. Their odd-couple chemistry never feels forced or like it's trying to draw attention to two diametrically different characters. They find ways to be at odds and not understand each other, but find common humanity between the characters.

Everyone in the cast is having a great time being a part of such a grand spectacle: Jonathan Bailey plays Fiyero, Michelle Yeoh is Madame Morrible, and Ethan Slater is Boq, who has eyes for Galinda. But, the movie is about Erivo and Grande-Butera, and the relationship they bring to the screen.

Erivo is strong as Elphaba, who has had to carry the weight of expectations on her shoulders her entire life. There's a pain in her lived experience that feels palpable through Erivo's performance. The true surprise of the movie is Grande-Butera in an unexpectedly pitch-perfect comedic performance. Her performance never feels like a pop star is trying to cross over into film; she truly inhabits and runs with the role of Galinda and steals every moment, movement, and word with her delivery and timing.

There's been a lot of chatter if "Wicked" is indeed a "Part One" movie, which is cleared up from the opening title card. Those familiar with the original production of "Wicked" have commented that the first movie's running time is about the same as the entire Broadway show, so it seems like it's anyone's guess what a "Part Two" would bring. Those who love "Wicked" are bound to love the movie, so another round with these characters will likely be good news to them.