Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		5.0

Wicked 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Perhaps to heavy to defy gravity.

The cinematic blockbuster and movie event of 2024 which is an adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, which is itself adapted from the book by Gregory Maguire, arrives on 4K UHD in the new 'Wicked 4K Amazon-Exclusive Limited Edition Giftset' courtesy of Universal! Starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, and supported by Michelle Yeoh (Madame Morrible) and Jeff Goldblum (The Wonderful Wizard of Oz), the stellar cast takes viewers on an incredible journey filled with music, drama, comedy, triumph, and tragedy. The film looks every penny of its purported $150 million dollar budget and would go on to gross nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars upon its original theatrical release. On-disc supplemental material includes a "Sing-Along" version, deleted and extended scenes, and two feature commentaries. The 'Wicked 4K Amazon-Exclusive Limited Edition Giftset' is limited to 2,550 units. For a discussion of the elements unique to this massive gift set, please scroll down to the "Supplemental Features and Extras" section of the review.

Wicked 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

For an assessment of the film's superb 4K presentation, please follow this link.

Wicked 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

To read about Wicked's Dolby Atmos Track, please follow this link.

Wicked 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Just to get the obvious out of the way first, this new Wicked giftset is gigantic. Weighing in at approximately 17 pounds, and measuring approximately 17.5" wide, 13.5" high, and 8" deep, it is easily the largest boxed set for any single film I've seen. Once the shrinkwrap and huge J- card have been removed (it's held in place by two glue dots which don't seem to leave any residue), the true cover of the box is revealed (please refer to screenshot #7). The cover, held in place by two sizeable magnetic closures, flips open so the first layer of contents can be accessed (screenshot #8). The inside of the cover is shown to sport a green monochrome image of Elphaba and Glinda. A velvety insert holds the 4K disc which sports a new slipcover, and the Certificate of Authenticity. Both are situated in small recesses in the velvet insert and are positioned over black ribbons which can be lifted up to safely remove the two items. The new slipcover which is exclusive to this release depicts Elphaba and Glinda standing adjacent to each other, their wands touching, and their elongated shadows merging to form a dark "W" (screenshot #4). The slipcover's gatefold, held shut by a small velcro closure, opens to show a panoramic and colorful image of Elphaba and Glinda, the former on the right under stormy skies, and the latter on the left under blooming cherry blossoms, their hands almost touching as they reach for each other (screenshot #9). The Certificate of Authenticity is housed in a vellum envelope held closed by a stylized foil sticker meant to resemble the irregular shape created by a wax seal. It's gold with a large "W" that dominates the surface area.

By lifting the small tab of ribbon at the top of the insert, the insert can be removed to uncover what is certainly the main attraction of the giftset, the gleaming bookends. One is Elphaba's iconic crooked hat and the other is Glinda's intricate crown. Both are given a shiny gold metallic finish. Each sits on a flat base, with a back that goes ever so slightly higher than the point of Elphaba's hat while Glinda's crown extends modestly higher than the the back of the bookend. The disc's case has been added to these pictures to provide a sense of scale. Looking at them head-on, the stylized "W" associated with the film and its logo is seen on each in the upper right corner. Both the back and the base under the hat and crown are smooth and highly reflective. The bottom of each bookend is lined with a velvety material to prevent scratching the furniture on which they are placed. Together, these two bookends account for the lion's share of the set's weight and should have no difficulty in performing the task for which they were assigned; holding actual full-sized books in place. They are quite impressive.

There are a few small issues with the set, that while minor, are worth noting. First, the recesses in the velvety insert meant to hold the 4K UHD disc and the CoA aren't quite large enough to adequately do the job. While the envelope can be pressed and made to fit, collectors who wish to keep all elements pristine may resist doing so as it will cause it to wrinkle or bend. The COA, being slightly smaller, should survive unscathed if it is centered in the envelope. The disc's case fits properly in the recess without the slipcover, but with the slip it doesn't. This issue likely won't bother most, as I doubt many if any will actually store the movie in the box and will instead place it on a shelf with the rest of their film library. Strangely, the 4K UHD case itself was not shrink-wrapped or sealed in any way, though all of the contents (4K UHD disc, Blu-ray disc, and Digital Code) were present and accounted for. The last, and most obvious thing to address is that given the glossy and reflective nature of the bookends themselves, every fingerprint will be visible. Those minor issues aside, it's a beautiful set.

In order to read a full accounting of the release's on-disc supplemental material, please follow this link.

Wicked 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The care and craftsmanship with which Wicked was made is on display in every shot. The labyrinth practical sets for Shiz University (and other locations) are gratifyingly explored and impeccably dressed. Costumes are a richly detailed and sumptuous mix of whimsy and functionality. And, considering Wicked is a musical, it is important to highlight that the vocal performances of the two leads and the elaborateness of the large production numbers are as gripping as they are powerful, every bit the equal of the work done by the original Broadway cast lead by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth. The 4K presentation is as close to perfect as one could hope, and the immersive Dolby Atmos track keeps viewers consistently in the middle of the action as it delights from beginning to end.

With the arrival of the Wicked 4K Amazon-Exclusive Limited Edition Giftset film fans face a tough choice between three different editions of the film, the standard edition, the Walmart-Exclusive Steelbook, and this giftset. Luckily, there are no bad choices here as the film is a "must-own" for any film fan with the ultimate decision point coming down to availability, cover art, and price. For those who can find a copy, the new giftset is as eye-catching as it is unique, providing a useful and dazzling collectible of the much-loved intellectual property. Easily the most deluxe and impressive edition of the film, the Wicked 4K Amazon Exclusive Limited Edition Giftset comes highly recommended to the film's most devout fans.