Rating: 3.5/5
Synopsis:
Part Two of the successful Broadway show has arrived just in time for Thanksgiving! We see Elphaba and Glinda in different places after the fallout with The Wizard. Elphaba continues to convince the public about the wizard’s deception, while Glinda leans into her public figure persona to maintain peace for the citizens of Oz. As the two continue playing their parts in this battle, we see a story filled with romance and heartbreak. Can Elphaba and Glinda find their place in a world so mixed up? Or will the wizard’s deception continue reigning over Oz?
Positives:
“Wicked” was one of the best surprises of 2024. From top to bottom, it was a fantastic production. The world building, costume design, and musical numbers are some of the best I’ve seen for a broadway adaptation. “Wicked: For Good” is a nice continuation of the story, filled with meatier material and emotional payoffs for our characters. The film switches up the tone, bringing a heavy and somber mood as the story ramps up. This is a pivot from the energetic and upbeat presentation of the first. But I enjoy seeing real stakes being presented as the wizard’s manipulation is challenged. As expected, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande once again deliver powerhouse performances. We see how the conclusion of Part One has affected each of them, as Elphaba is as passionate as ever to free the animals and expose the wizard’s wrongdoings. Glinda on the other hand plays a different role in this world, as she tries to mitigate her guilt for what happened to Elphaba. She also doesn’t want to give up the spotlight she’s fought so hard to build. This gives Glinda a unique part to play in this story, allowing her to become a more interesting and complete character.
Jonathan Bailey gives a nice supporting performance too, despite being underused. I enjoyed that Jeff Goldblum got more to do in this half of the story. We learn more about his past and why he operates Oz in such a deceiving manner. His song in the film is particularly entertaining and thoughtful. As Part One did, “For Good” manages to create immaculate production design. The immersive nature of the story transports audiences to Oz once again, allowing us to feel the conflict brewing. It’s clear that something is not right in the air as the curtain is desperate to be pulled back and free the public’s minds. The costume design and special effects are great, especially on the Tin Man. I also enjoyed the thematic material regarding media manipulation and authoritarian influence. It adds importance to the character’s actions and gives each of them something greater to fight for. Glinda in particular has to make some difficult choices and think about the consequences of her actions. Many seem to think Part Two is the weaker half of the musical but I’d argue that it has the more interesting story. Sure, the music isn’t as good but I find myself intrigued with how the events unfold.
Negatives:
While “Wicked: For Good” soars with its weighty story and thoughtful character treatment, it doesn’t quite capture the magical immersion of the first film. The musical numbers are definitely a step down, as Part One had one classic song after another. It’s hard to compete with that when some of Broadway’s most famous numbers are prominent in the first half of the story. Still, there are a few excellent songs sure to please fans of the show. The story also crams a lot of “Wizard of Oz” references into the story that weren’t originally in the stage play. I don’t think these help the story much. It moreso feels like an attempt to pad the runtime to make two separate films realistic. The film isn’t as fun as Part One either. This isn’t necessarily good or bad, but it’s something to consider for audiences who struggle with darker stories. Certain elements feel rushed, especially in the third act. I didn’t buy the idea of Elphaba flying off the handle and causing havoc just to get her sister’s shoes back. Nessa (her sister) was an insufferable narcissist throughout both films, so for Elphaba to feel such passion to connect to her mean-spirited sister doesn’t feel organic. The story does try to fit a lot in during a short period that doesn’t always feel fluid. Still, it ends on an appropriately melancholy note sure to satisfy those who waited to see this story come to fruition.
Conclusion:
“Wicked: For Good” is a satisfying conclusion to a wonderful adaptation of one of Broadway’s most famous shows. It has its issues, mostly surrounding logic gaps and character motivations. The musical numbers are fair but don’t match the wonder of the first film. But the impactful story is where the film shines, giving our characters more depth as they navigate their place in Oz. Erivo and Grande are as good as ever, helping us feel the emotional connection Elphaba and Glinda will always share. Fans of the source material will be ecstatic to see the conclusion of the story. So get out and see it with a packed audience as Glinda and Elphaba take their final bow!
