On Friday, Nov. 21, the movie “Wicked: For Good” was released in theaters by Universal Studios. A sequel to “Wicked,” “Wicked: For Good,” is the final movie in the series. The first movie was released on Nov. 22, 2024, with a budget of over $125 million. The new film has a budget of $165 million, which breaks the record for the most expensive film based on a Broadway musical.
The movie opens with Elphaba, now known as the Wicked Witch of the West, living in exile and continuing to fight against Madame Morrible to free all the animals of Oz. Glinda, now known as Glinda the Good, has become a public figure in Emerald City and is complicit in spreading misinformation about Elphaba. As the agitation between the people of Oz rises and the crowd rises against Elphaba, Glinda is torn between her role in Emerald City and her complicated past with Elphaba. The two must finally meet each other and confront their own truths to change Oz for the better.
What I liked about the movie was how it showed many perspectives. In “Wicked: For Good”, the movie showed the audience different point of views, which was different from “Wicked.”, which only focused on Elphaba’s. I also feel as if the second movie has a more mature and dark vibe. The film showed how the public painted Elphaba as the “Wicked Witch” through news and posters and it focused on the oppression of all the animals of Oz. Something I noticed was that “Wicked: For Good” had a less vibrant color scheme than “Wicked”, similar to the second act of the Broadway musical.
One detail I liked was the movie’s emotional depth. “Wicked: For Good” is more emotionally resonant compared to the first film because it highlights the tense relationship between Elphaba and Glinda because of the love triangle they were in with Fiyero. Their complex past with each other is solved later in the movie through the song “For Good,” which shows a heartbreaking farewell between the two. The deceptions and political schemes of Oz add to the emotional intensity of the story, since they destroy Elphaba and Glinda’s relationship even more.
In addition, the acting in the movie was emotional and spectacular, with all the actors giving powerful performances and giving their characters meaningful depth. During heartfelt moments, I could really see strong chemistry between Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, such as when they both said their last goodbye during the song “For Good.” The ability for both the leads to melt into their roles and convey complex character growth, particularly Grande’s change in personality and Erivo’s challenge to authority, really impressed me.
The conclusion of the film was truly outstanding. Elphaba escapes through a trapdoor with Fiyero after her assumed death, leading to a more hopeful ending for the two. It suggested that Elphaba and Fiyero are going to find a new life, but it is left unknown where they are going beyond Oz. Since Elphaba is presumed dead, Glinda must take her new role in Oz as “Glinda the Good.” The final shot of the movie captured a bittersweet moment of Erivo and Grande, especially since they recreated the iconic poster of the official Broadway musical of Glinda whispering something into Elphaba’s ear.
Turning to another aspect, I believe the flashbacks shown in “Wicked: For Good” provided deeper insight into the characters by showing Elphaba’s difficult childhood and Glinda’s insecurities, which revealed the roots of their motivations. The film includes flashbacks to young Glinda, showing her childhood and desperate desire to do magic and I enjoyed it since it foreshadows her eventual role as “Glinda the Good.” I think the movie effectively highlighted Elphaba’s vulnerability and need for Prince Fiyero and Glinda’s shift from perfectionism to selflessly saving her friend. A few of the flashbacks even led to reveal that the Wizard is Elphaba’s father, which was a plot twist in the movie that wowed me since it was completely unexpected.
The film’s musical side features a mix of original songs and iconic reprises from the Broadway show, which really advance the story and characters and build to the finale. The addition of new songs, such as “No Place Like Home” and “Girl In The Bubble,” helps deepen the characters’ inner lives and connect them to the story’s themes. I enjoyed the soundtrack for its emotional intensity, such as Erivo’s heated performance of “No Good Deed” and Grande’s compelling portrayal of Glinda’s internal struggles in the song “Girl In The Bubble”. Both Erivo and Grande delivered strong vocal performances that were powerfully moving and mesmerizing. Their vocals also portrayed their nuanced characters; Erivo’s powerful and defiant sound contrasts with Grande’s ability to convey Glinda’s fragility through a more restrained tone. The chemistry between the two leads is noticeable in their harmonies, especially in the song “For Good”, where their voices blend to create a potent and touching duet.
“Wicked: For Good” left a lasting impression with its storytelling and unforgettable performances. The film’s mixture of stunning visuals, powerful music and emotional depth makes it an experience that stays with you long after the credits roll. From the well-developed characters to the eye-opening themes, it’s clear why I found myself so entertained and moved. All in all, “Wicked: For Good” is truly a captivating film that delivers a memorable blend of emotion and storytelling. I would highly recommend watching it.