“Wicked: For Good” has soared onto the big screens, and the bar couldn’t be set higher after its predecessor’s widespread success and critical acclaim. In the closing film of the duology, Ozians sing for change, and the witches battle out their differences, but perhaps with a less thrillifying execution than before.
Expectations were great for the second part of director Jon M. Chu’s Broadway musical adaptation, after “Wicked: Part 1” debuted with record-breaking popularity. Unfortunately, part two’s wishy-washy plot and gloomy essence didn’t satisfy these standards.
The plot picks up from part one after Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) flees from the Emerald City. Now deemed the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba retreats to an Ozian forest and continues to fight for animal rights, while Glinda the Good (Ariana Grande) revels in fame and popularity in the Emerald City. As hatred for Elphaba grows and Ozians rise against her, the two must reunite once more to restore truth in their relationship and the Land of Oz.
From the animals becoming increasingly stripped of their rights to Elphaba’s undeserving demonization, themes of misunderstanding and propaganda are evident throughout the film. One can’t help but draw parallels between the Land of Oz and today’s political state, despite our lack of bubble transportation. However, the adaptation falls short of exploring these themes compellingly, with most metaphors remaining surface-level and reused.
The storyline’s development is rather loose, guided by various standalone scenes instead of a logical flow of events. Emotionally-heavy scenes are particularly abundant, and while they jerk some tears among the crowd, viewers ultimately crave the amusement that part one provided. Following this, many of the characters portray much more somber attitudes than the quirky personas that captivated viewers in the first move. Glinda, in particular, seems to lose the breeziness and fun that defined her character, leaving the film without a true sense of magic. Even supporting characters like Fiyero and Madam Morrible feel underdeveloped, acting as symbols rather than essential figures.
Still, the actors’ performances remain one of the movie’s strongest points. Despite their characters’ disappointing transformations, Erivo and Grande deliver the roles with the same passion and precision they established in the first film. Erivo masterfully strikes the complex balance between Elphaba’s misunderstood intentions and all-too-real emotions, allowing viewers to see beyond the stereotypes that Ozians characterized her by. Additionally, Grande’s relative inexperience in the acting industry doesn’t hinder her authentic performance as Glinda, which she takes on with finesse, reminding the audience of her striking voice.
From a musical standpoint, the first part of this adaptation certainly contains the more captivating songs. While Erivo delivers Elphaba’s “No Good Deed” with thundering passion and jaw-dropping vocals, the new songs added by writer Stephen Schwartz, “No Place Like Home” and “The Girl in the Bubble,” feel redundant and fail to elevate the storyline. The reprises lack the same flair that fans have come to know the original Broadway musical for, making the sequel’s musical journey significantly weaker than its predecessor.
That’s not to say the film doesn’t have its merits; production quality is certainly a highlight, where the iconic contrast between emerald green and baby pink, signifying the complicated relationship between Elphaba and Glinda, is elegantly conveyed through meticulously designed costumes and sets. Each setting, from the Emerald City’s glistening halls to Elphaba’s mystical forest retreat, skillfully incorporates the two colors to subtly reinforce the story’s conflict and bring Oz to life. Better yet, designer Paul Tazewell crafted stunning outfits for Elphaba and Glinda, with each character’s gowns reflecting both their internal and external trademark qualities. Glinda models airy, avant-garde dresses exhibiting her popularity and influence, while Elphaba’s passion for nature shines through her textured, grounded style. As the film progresses, Glinda’s embellishments mellow and Elphaba’s necklines loosen, demonstrating their growth and influence on each other.
“Wicked: For Good” had a lot to live up to after its prequel’s outstandingly positive results, but it’s clear through the movie’s digressive plot and weak musical numbers that the film falls short of these standards. Although the duology as a whole offers spectacular visuals and an emotionally rich interpretation of the Broadway classic, other factors suggest that it may have been better left on the stage. Despite lapses in storytelling, the production has cultivated a new understanding of good versus evil and created unmistakable meaning behind shades of green and pink.
