Seeing the “Wicked” movie on a “pre-screening” night marked a significant step in my ongoing quest to understand this beloved story.

As someone who treasures “The Wizard of Oz,” I’ve always struggled with the narrative of “Wicked.”

While I’ve never seen the stage show live, I’ve read the book and watched a couple of bootleg videos of the Broadway production.

Each time, I found myself lost in the sprawling first act, overwhelmed by how much “Wicked” tries to pack into its story.

The movie helped bring some clarity.

Finally, I could better grasp the narrative threads tying Elphaba’s and Glinda’s journeys together.

The film’s visual grandeur and talented cast certainly helped.

Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba is magnificent, capturing both vulnerability and power, while Jonathan Bailey’s Fiyero shines with charm and intrigue.

Ariana Grande, as Glinda, perfectly embodies the character’s bubbly exterior and hidden depth.

Adding to the film’s nostalgic appeal, original Broadway stars Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth make brief appearances in the movie.

While their roles are small, their presence is a touching nod to fans of the stage show who have cherished their iconic portrayals of Elphaba and Glinda.

Seeing them included felt like a heartfelt acknowledgment of the legacy they created and a passing of the torch of sorts to Erivo and Grande, who now carry the story forward for a new generation of “Wicked” enthusiasts.

Despite its strengths, the movie’s pacing remains an issue.

At 2 hours and 40 minutes, “Wicked: Part One” (which is what this should be called in marketing efforts of the film) is longer than the entire Broadway production (2 hours and 30 minutes not counting the intermission), yet it tells only half the story.

This choice feels excessive, as the first part of the film drags in places, making me question why the story needed to be split into two movies.

One aspect where the movie excels is capturing the emotional core of “Wicked.”

At its heart, the story explores themes of friendship, identity and finding one’s voice in a world that silences those who are different.

This resonates deeply in today’s society, where marginalized groups often fight to be heard and valued.

The plight of the animals in “Wicked”—stripped of their ability to speak and ostracized by society—mirrors the experiences of those who face systemic oppression.

The story challenges viewers to question their complicity and consider the changes needed to create a more equitable world, especially for those whose struggles are too often ignored by the privileged.

That said, my longstanding issues with “Wicked” remain.

While many view it as enriching and expanding “The Wizard of Oz,” I’ve always felt it tries to undo the original’s magic.

The backstory for iconic characters like the Tin Man and Scarecrow feels forced, as though it diminishes the wonder of “The Wizard of Oz” rather than complementing it.

Ultimately, my journey with “Wicked” continues.

The movie offered a deeper understanding of the story but didn’t fully resolve my ambivalence.

Perhaps “Wicked: Part Two” will hold the answers—or perhaps “Wicked” is simply a story I’ll always admire from a distance, even if it doesn’t fully click for me.