If you’ve ever left a production of the “Wicked” musical baffled at the drop in quality between its first and second act, you’re not alone. With fewer memorable songs and irritating plotlines, act one’s explosive energy quickly devolves into something much bleaker. Clearly, director Jon M. Chu had lots to prove with his decision to split his adaptation of “Wicked” into two films. If the first cinematic installment was biblically accurate, “Wicked: For Good” purposefully expands on the musical’s second act, fleshing out rushed storylines and character arcs.
Post battle cry, “Wicked: For Good” picks up right where the first ended, in an Oz without academic charm or lighthearted banter. Glinda (Ariana Grande) is now a babbling propagandist and Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) a wanted fugitive — not much to smile and dance about. We follow Elphaba’s rebellion against The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum) for his acts of animal cruelty and oppressive rule. Meanwhile, Glinda rallies morale under the command of Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh). The events of the original “The Wizard of Oz” play out simultaneously, a feature of the musical that always felt neurotically concocted. Nevertheless, the film redeems itself with its strong reinterpretation of the Broadway show’s original plot points.
Without anthems like “Defying Gravity” and “Popular,” satisfying fans becomes more difficult. Luckily, “Wicked: For Good” brings life to songs that didn’t have much to begin with, turning The Wizard’s meandering “Wonderful” into a fully choreographed spectacle. The few already strong songs flourish with extended verses and soaring opt-ups. Elphaba and Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) are as raunchy as you can get in a PG-rated film during “As Long As You’re Mine,” their voices burning with chemistry and passion. As expected, Erivo’s vocals are the film’s driving force. Her rendition of “No Good Deed” brims with fury so tangible that every spell hits with full impact.
Still, the film sometimes loses its momentum. Composer Stephen Schwartz contributes two new songs, “The Girl in the Bubble” for Glinda and “No Place Like Home” for Elphaba, both of which add nothing but cliche references and unnecessary minutes to the runtime. While the tracks are sonically pleasant, they disrupt the film’s already shaky pacing, especially with Glinda’s new ballad interrupting one of the most heightened moments in the story.
The weak performances in the first film only feel weaker here, such as Yeoh’s contained portrayal of Morrible. And while Goldblum’s Wizard was a quick and charismatic presence in the 2024 film, he’s almost too comedic this time around. His jaunty demeanor makes Elphaba’s exclamation that she’ll “fight him until the day she dies” feel overdramatic, even though we know her hatred is justified. Yes, The Wizard is supposed to be laughably powerless, but his dad jokes and magic tricks ultimately overshadow the discriminatory policies he stokes throughout Oz.
Unsurprisingly, the story’s heart lies with Erivo and Grande. The two leading ladies explore a wide range of emotions given the film’s darker storyline, with Grande delivering a layered performance as the morally conflicted Glinda. While the film often relies on flashy editing and callbacks to the first film for emotional impact, there’s no need for distraction in the heartfelt duet “For Good.” Here, Glinda and Elphaba lay bare what they’ve learned from each other, naturally creating the film duology’s most compelling moment. Say what you want about Erivo and Grande’s co-dependent relationship, but every tear shed in the song beautifully reflects their characters’ bittersweet dynamic and the years the actresses spent forming an unbreakable bond.
Chu also revises Glinda’s tragic arc from the Broadway show. Instead of leaving her shattered and empty after Dorothy’s encounter with Elphaba, he offers her redemption. Glinda embarks on a personal mission to reshape what it means to be good, vowing to protect all of Oz, just like Elphaba taught her. While some may find this character arc sickeningly sentimental, it holds true that Elphaba has changed Glinda “for the better.”
While “Wicked: For Good” is certainly more chaotic than its 2024 predecessor, that chaos makes it all the more faithful to the beloved Broadway show. Even if you won’t miss the two-year guerrilla marketing campaign or the iconic press tour, you’ll undoubtedly feel the compassion Chu and his team have poured into “Wicked.” In the end, theater kids and casual fans alike will be left teary-eyed by the enchanting final chords of “A Wicked Good Finale.”
Contact Amelia Knust at [email protected].