Wicked: For Good
- Ben Pivoz
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Last year, the big screen adaptation of the first half of the musical Wicked was a juggernaut that I did not care much for. I found it to be hollow and forgettable, despite a very good lead performance from Cynthia Erivo. The second half, titled Wicked: For Good, has the same issues. However, it is a better package, maybe because having an actual conclusion gives it a purpose, as well as stronger narrative momentum. It is also better paced.
The plot is still silly, with shallow characters and a simplistic message. Yet it looks really good. The musical sequences are more intimate, with smaller choreography that works for the emotions being expressed. It is totally fine, completing a story that I don’t regret sitting through, but have no desire to watch again. Undoubtedly, this will be a juggernaut, too.
After the events of part one, Elphaba, now referred to as The Wicked Witch of the West, is in hiding, trying to spread the truth about the wizard to all of Oz. That pits her against her old friend Glinda, who loves the adoration she receives as the trusted symbol of goodness for the people. Can they once again work together to free Oz from tyranny?
A lot of my thoughts from part one continue to apply to Wicked: For Good (128 minutes, minus the end credits). The story isn’t very interesting and the songs didn’t rise above decent for me. This is a rich world, but everything is kept purely at surface level. Cynthia Erivo isn’t given as much of an opportunity to match her performance in the previous movie because this is significantly busier. She is still good and Ariana Grande does steadier, and more substantial, work as Glinda. This time, the good witch has a more dramatic arc, which Grande handles just fine. The choreography of the musical numbers is strong, even if they are less showy.
The major difference is the visuals. The last one was quite stagey, with sets that looked unmistakably like sets. This has a larger scope. There is more action and more locations. It feels like an epic fantasy movie. Director Jon M. Chu doesn’t overdo the CGI elements, keeping his actors at the center of things. Oddly, since there are other things to focus on, the size of this helps the relationships feel more believable. I was a lot more convinced by the friendship between Elphaba and Glinda. Seeing what their lives are like without each other underscores what they mean to each other. That is effective.
The pacing is considerably improved, aided both by the increased urgency in the story and by being approximately 22 minutes shorter. There is a little repetition and a few scenes I thought the movie could have done without, yet it is definitely not bloated this time. Some of the subplots are clunky (the one involving Elphaba’s sister is especially grating), though even the contrivances are less annoying.
Wicked and Wicked: For Good aren’t necessarily for me. The world-building isn’t nearly enjoyable enough to get lost in the fantasy. The personalities and relationships don’t have enough depth to get caught up in the emotions. The music isn’t catchy or powerful enough to get swept away by. I’m sure many people will fall in love with it. Or walk into the theater already in love with it. It is a big family holiday extravaganza, strategically designed to attract audiences of all ages. It is okay. I just wish it was bigger, with more extravaganza.
3 out of 5
Cast:
Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba
Ariana Grande-Butera as Glinda
Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero
Jeff Goldblum as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible
Marissa Bode as Nessarose
Ethan Slater as Boq
Directed by Jon M. Chu
Screenplay by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox
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