In 1939, audiences watched as a wide-eyed Judy GarlandAn American actress and singer who was born in 1922 and died in 1969. She achieved international stardom. stepped out of the black-and-white wreckage of her farmhouse, yapping dog in tow, and arrived in the Land of Oz, a dreamland of spectacular technicolour.

"Toto, I've a feeling we're not in KansasA landlocked state in the midwestern USA. anymore!" she said, marvelling at the winding pathways, road of yellow bricks, tall green vines and lotus flowers.

It is one of the most famous movie moments of all time. Wicked, a new Hollywood blockbuster spinoff of The Wizard of Oz, is expected to smash the box office worldwide this winter. The UK will see its cinema release today.

In the run-up to its release, there have been Wicked cocktails, cosmetics and even Crocs. But is there substance behind all the sequins? The film is rich with themes to appeal to audiences of all ages.

Sacred sisterhood. The central theme of Wicked is the relationship between two opposites: glitzy Glinda, who will become Glinda the Good, and outsider Elphaba, who will become the Wicked Witch of the West. The girls become fast friends, but are torn apart by a shared love interest and differing values.

Vice and virtue. Elphaba, a misunderstood outcastA person who has been rejected or thrown out by society. with bright green skin, was written as the villain in the 1900 children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. But Wicked suggests that she is merely misunderstood.

Lasting legacy. The Wicked universe has a rich history extending back to L Frank Baum's 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Wicked nods to this theme of legacy: while Elphaba strives to redefine her family's legacy, Glinda becomes preoccupiedInterested; engaged. with the legacy that power can leave behind.

Power and repression. Abuse of power is a major theme in Wicked, as the Wizard seeks to subjugateForcefully bring under control. animals and uses his secret police to implement a system of totalitarianWhen a political system or leader requires complete subservience to the state. In a totalitarian system, people are not allowed to express their own opinions. repressionThe act of subsiding something by force. Repressive is usually used negatively, often to describe the activities of authoritarian states..

Blind bigotry. Elphaba faces discriminationWhen people are treated unfairly due to characteristics such as gender, race and age. throughout her life. Her green skin marks her as different to others, and means they are less likely to take her seriously.

Does the movie have an important message?

Yes: There are many important themes in Wicked. From more light-hearted explorations of the value of female friendship, to serious debates about the nature of power and control, it is a feast for the mind.

No: Wicked has been marketed mostly to children. Its themes will not go beyond the bounds of a simple childhood fable built to show "right" and "wrong" without any nuance.

Or... Do not allow yourself to be deceived that Wicked is a work of art. It is built to be unchallenging and uncritical. To attract the largest possible audiences, moviemakers have to avoid any clear message for fear of controversy.