After the movie successes of Jon M. Chu, director of “In the Heights” and “Crazy Rich Asians,” the wildly popular musical-to-movie adaptation “Wicked” last year, it would be an understatement to say that its sequel, titled “Wicked: For Good,” has been one of the most highly anticipated cinematic events of the year.
The “Wicked” two-part film series is based on the Broadway musical inspired by “Wicked,” the novel, a prequel to the 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz.” “Wicked: For Good” serves as an adaptation of the musical’s largely unpopular second act, generating a great deal of interest as to what elements of the musical will be utilized, improved, or disappointing as the material makes the leap from stage to the big screen.
After having seen “Wicked: For Good” in theaters, I can happily report that the adaptation preserves and enhances all the elements of the original source material and this film’s predecessor. “Wicked: For Good” is an absolute spectacle to experience for any type of audience.
The visual effects that Chu puts in place to flesh out the world of Oz are every bit as immersive to watch as they were in his first raid into the Wonderful World–including some brand-new effects on certain musical numbers that fans of the score are sure to enjoy. The film, once again, restores the strength of blending realistic sets with CGI elements. Almost every character gets a brand-new look as well, displaying fantastic costumes that bring a new wave of personality to each member of the incredibly talented cast.
Without a doubt, this film is Cynthia Erivo’s (from “Bad Times at the El Royale” and “Harriet”) greatest work of art. Her performance as Elphaba takes the audience through an absolute emotional odyssey as she navigates the various circumstances the Wicked Witch of the West finds herself placed into throughout the story.
This is supplemented by an absolutely stellar performance from Ariana Grande (“Victorious”). If her interpretation of Glinda the Good in last year’s “Wicked” didn’t effectively silence all her doubters, this film is sure to put those voices to rest.
Not only do both of these actresses display such emotional honesty and vulnerability throughout the film, but they also command their scenes with spectacular chemistry. They put on vocal performances that can only be described as extraordinary, reminding audiences why both actresses are Grammy Award winners and prominent vocal powerhouses. I would not be surprised if both actresses don’t receive Academy Award nominations for these performances.
Jonathan Bailey’s (from “Bridgerton” and “Jurassic World: Rebirth”) part as Prince Fiyero steps into a whole new level since the first film, giving him a fresh range to explore – which he does magnificently – and a rendition of the “As Long As You're Mine” song which is sure to entrance his audiences. Jeff Goldblum’s (from “Jurassic Park” and “Thor: Ragnarok”) Wizard and Ethan Slater’s (“SpongeBob: The Musical”) Boq cement themselves as standouts of the supporting cast.
However, Michelle Yeoh (from “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and “Shang Chi: Legend of the Ten Rings”) showcases an incredibly well-acted but a vocally sluggish Madame Morrible, and Marissa Bode’s (“Wicked”) Nessarose is great, but criminally underutilized (don’t be expecting a “Wicked Witch of the East” song in its entirety, as the number once again gets significantly reduced).
The score is beautifully sung by a fantastic cast and ensemble, which will surely please any fans of the original musical. Two new songs—“No Place Like Home” and “Girl in the Bubble” – have been added to the score (likely so composer Stephen Schwartz of “Wicked,” “Pippin,” and “The Prince of Egypt” can assert himself into Best Original Song at the Oscars this year).
Both are beautifully sung by Erivo and Grande (respectively), but are ultimately bogged down by weak lyrics and poor story placement, leading me to doubt Schwartz’s abilities as a composer between this and his new musical “The Queen of Versailles,” sporting some of the weakest lyrics of the year. However, many fan favorite numbers, such as “No Good Deed,” “As Long As You’re Mine,” and “For Good,” are not only beautifully performed but executed with powerful visuals that truly enhance the beauty of these numbers, far beyond the abilities of any previous adaptation.
Overall, “Wicked: For Good” is a beautiful homage to the source material and a fitting conclusion to the story that fans had fallen in love with last year. An absolute visual and acting spectacle, fit for all audiences, and an overall heartwarming film which improves upon the original material in nearly every way. I highly recommend checking it out now in theaters.
The nearest theatres to SHU are:
AMC DINE-IN Essex Green 9 in West Orange, about 15 minutes away from SHU
AMC East Hanover 12 in East Hanover, about 25 minutes from SHU
AMC Clifton Commons 16 in Clifton, about 26 minutes from SHU
Rating: ★★★★½ / ★★★★★
Carmine Sortino is a writer for The Setonian’s Opinion section. She can be reached at carmine.sortino@student.shu.edu
