After holding off, “Wicked: For Good” is finally in theaters just in time for this Thanksgiving season. This film is a sequel/conclusion to the first film released last year and an adaptation of Act 2 from the Broadway musical. But the question is: how will this film conclude the story of Elphaba and Glinda, and how will it change us for the better?
The story begins with Elphaba, played by Cynthia Erivo, and Glinda, played by Ariana Grande, now embracing their new identities, Elphaba as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda as Glinda the Good. The two soon reunite, but their morals and beliefs put their friendship to the test as they must find a way to see eye to eye when a mysterious girl named Dorothy arrives at Oz in its darkest hour, an hour that will change their friendship for good.
Overall, I loved this film as someone who grew up with “The Wizard of Oz” and has a deep love for “Wicked.” This film left a giant handprint on my heart. The film not only adapts Act Two of the Broadway musical well but also adds more to it, without running afoul of the original source material, such as including two original songs that go deeper into Elphaba and Glinda’s characters than the original Broadway show did.
Plus, this film is more emotional than the first film, especially when Erivo and Grande sing “For Good” together. However, the film’s pacing may seem off at times; it’s understandable for narrative reasons.
The visuals in the film were beautiful and more colorful than those in the previous film. I’m also happy to see that this film continues to use more practical effects for the set designs and the make-up for the Tin Man and Scarecrow, which looked unbelievably realistic. Not to mention the musical sequences were perfect, especially during “As Long As You’re Mine,” “No Good Deed” and “Girl In A Bubble.”
As performances go, Erivo once again did a “wicked” job playing Elphaba, especially when she fully embraces the Wicked Witch of the West persona, which will make you fear her. Jonathan Bailey also did a phenomenal job as Fiyero, and his chemistry with Erivo was breathtaking. But the standout was Grande, who gave one of the best performances I’ve seen in cinema, revealing a more complex and vulnerable side of Glinda.
My overall score for this film is a 10/10, not only for being a perfect musical adaptation but also for having an emotional message that we can all resonate with, including me, about friendship and unconditional love that we see Elphaba and Glinda share, and how that love will indeed change us for the better.
Peter Caram is a columnist. Contact him at [email protected]
