Raise a toast for the doubters. When Universal disclosed that director Jon M. Chu would separate the beloved Broadway musical Wicked into two films, many panned it as a money-making scheme devoid of narrative merit.
The finale of 2024’s Wicked was striking, culminating with Elphaba’s flight from Emerald City and the legendary song “Defying Gravity.” Yet how could Act Two, featuring new characters and unexpected developments, function independently as a film? Chu proves this with Wicked: For Good.
The screenplay, penned by Broadway show’s book writer Winnie Holzman and screenwriter Dana Fox, skillfully elaborates on elements brushed aside in the fast-paced second act of the stage adaptation. The film presents dynamic action sequences, meaningful flashbacks, and two additional songs, one for Academy Award nominee Cynthia Erivo and another for Academy Award nominee Ariana Grande-Butera (as credited). While parts may seem superfluous, much of it enhances Chu’s cinematic interpretation of this re-envisioned Oz.
Once again, the pairing of Erivo and Grande sets an ambitious benchmark, captivating moviegoers and encouraging future theater aficionados to defy gravity themselves.
Wicked: For Good showcases a dystopian world — but in more vivid shades.
Critics of Chu’s initial Wicked (myself included) took issue with the muted tones of Emerald City and the plethora of poppies. In Wicked: For Good, he’s adjusted to better highlight the lively colors of Nathan Crowley’s intricate production design and Paul Tazewell’s stunning costumes of Oz. Elphaba’s dark robes starkly contrast with the Wizard’s emerald realm and Glinda’s pink attire. As the film adopts a more emotionally somber tone for its heroines, Chu returns to greys, seemingly draping the film in a dull cloak that obscures the focus and expressions of his stars. However, there are still numerous chances for them to shine.
Wicked: For Good opens with the not-so-wonderful Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) employing enslaved, nearly voiceless creatures to construct the Yellow Brick Road, while cruel human guards whip them without mercy. Naturally, Elphaba (Erivo) swoops in, executing a superhero landing to rescue her fellow Ozians and chase off the violent guards, unwittingly fueling the Wizard’s negative campaign that depicts her as Oz’s public enemy #1.
In the shimmering allure of Emerald City, Glinda (Grande-Butera) is a revered public figure being transported in her famous mechanized bubble, courtesy of a scowling Madam Morrible (Michelle Yeoh). This whimsical conveyance helps perpetuate the illusion that Glinda the Good (as she’s marketed) possesses remarkable magic. To seal the deal, the Wizard and Morrible have orchestrated a marriage between their poster girl and their charismatic captain of the guard Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey).
While Elphaba fights solo for animal liberation and the toppling of the Wizard’s web of deceit, she suffers the heartache of losing her closest friend, her love interest, and her bond with her sister Nessa (Marissa Bode). In For Good, she rekindles her connections, igniting magic and leading to events that will resonate with fans of The Wizard of Oz.
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande-Butera shine in Wicked: For Good.
In the initial film, Erivo seemed unconvincing as an insecure ingénue. Her commanding presence and powerful vocals are far better suited to Wicked’s latter half, where Elphaba has metaphorically discovered her voice. Here, Erivo channels dazzling intensity into every gesture, lyric, and glance.
Grande-Butera serves as her ideal counterpart. While Elphaba’s demeanor reflects the gloom engulfing Oz, Glinda’s buoyancy mirrors the populace’s lighthearted approach to their Wizard tyrant. In balancing humor and seriousness, Erivo and Grande-Butera create an outstanding duo. Erivo broods and belts, while Grande-Butera sparkles and…also belts.
Even amidst the darker narratives this sequel embraces, Grande-Butera finds in-character moments for lightness and comedy. The “tap to bubble” gag hinted at in trailers is unavoidably enjoyable. But even as Glinda utters weighty truths, Grande-Butera injects notes of “dumb blonde” charm that enhance rather than detract.
When these two friends and foes collide in a physical confrontation, there’s an emotional charge but a humorous tone, as they battle not like formidable witches, but like frenemies eager to tear each other’s hair out. (Think Colin Firth and Hugh Grant’s tussle in Bridget Jones’s Diary.)
It almost goes without saying that both Erivo and Grande-Butera excel vocally, not only in the familiar Wicked songs but also in Elphaba’s “No Place Like Home” and Glinda’s “The Girl in the Bubble.” However, neither song reaches the strength of those from the Broadway soundtrack.
Wicked: For Good explores surprisingly profound depths in its darker turns. Fans