“Wicked: For Good,” the second half of the “Wicked” franchise, was released in theatres across the globe on Friday, Nov. 21. Audiences waited a year to watch part two, but the intermission was well worth it. “Wicked: For Good” somehow does the impossible by outshining the first movie.
Turning a two-hour, 45-minute Broadway show into a two-part movie series spanning a little over five hours is no easy feat, but director Jon M. Chu manages to deliver. The movie takes a more sinister, emotional turn and focuses on the plotline. Dramatic close-ups take the place of flashy musical numbers and a darker story ensues, as the audience sees a new side to Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s breathtaking chemistry.
The music in “Wicked For Good” remains less memorable. There are no upbeat tunes in the second half like “Dancing Through Life” or “Popular.” However, Chu still finds sensational ways to transport the watcher into the magical, yet disturbing, world.
“Wicked: For Good” picks up seamlessly where part one left off, with Elphaba and Glinda entering their separate adult lives. Elphaba, played by Erivo, has been exiled to the forest, and contemplates how to expose the Wizard, portrayed by Jeff Goldblum, for being a fraud.
Simultaneously, Grande’s Glinda lives an on-the-surface carefree life as Oz’s beloved princess. Instantly, we see the contrast between them; one seeks social justice while the other seeks social acceptance. The two explore their individual desires, yet their hearts evidently find a way back to each other.
This leads to a moral dilemma with Glinda, as she debates whether to continue leading the citizens of Oz or sacrifice all the glory she once desperately craved to help her friend. Grande does a phenomenal job portraying Glinda’s confused state with beautiful microexpressions. In close-ups, the audience can see the pain surrounding her compassion for Elphaba reflected in her eyes. She takes Glinda from the somewhat caricature-like girl we saw in part one to a fully fleshed-out, heartbreaking character that holds our attention.
On the same note, Erivo remains enthralling as ever. I thought “No Place Like Home,” a new number by songwriter Stephen Schwartz for the movie adaptation, worked well to bridge the gap between outcast schoolgirl Elphaba and her villainized counterpart in part two.
Vocally, Erivo radiates passion and finesse. Her version of “No Good Deed,” one of my favorite songs from the Broadway soundtrack, brought tears to my eyes. Coupled with visual montages of Elphaba’s past, Erivo takes us on a raw journey of self-sacrifice. Every choice she makes paves the way to the infuriating breaking point to feel earned.
While the two shine separately, Grande and Erivo truly demonstrate their power of emotional captivation when they act together. From Grande’s simple looks of betrayal to their somber eye contact during the title track, “For Good,” the audience can tell their friendship is special both onscreen and off.
Jonathan Bailey, who plays Fiyero, brings a compelling performance to the screen alongside them. While his arc seems underwritten, he redeems the character by bringing a touch of sweetness to an otherwise dark film.
“Wicked: For Good” is timely to our current world. Questions of morals arise, propaganda spreads like rapidfire and people seen as “different” are pushed aside. At its heart, “Wicked: For Good” is a story of friendship, moving forward and choosing the ones you love over yourself.
