"Wicked: For Good" Lands (Even Though it Doesn't Quite Fly)

It was always going to be a gamble to split the beloved Broadway musical “Wicked” into two films. While the first film defied gravity and became an instant classic, fans of the material now have to process a thought that they never had to before: mainly, that the second half of the show is not as memorable as the first. Yes, “Wicked: For Good” has a lot going for it and should in no way be considered a bad movie, but there are some uncomfortable truths that means this likely won’t be making it on my Best Films of the Year list.

Picking up from where the previous film left off, “Wicked: For Good” finds the Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum) in full propaganda mode, as he and his assistants spend all day propping up Glinda (Ariana Grande) as the Good Witch of the East and Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) as the Wicked Witch of the West. Elphaba has made it her mission to expose the Wizard for being the fraud that he is and bring justice to the animals he silenced. Glinda, meanwhile, would probably be on the right side of history if she didn’t like the fact that she has become a beloved figure in Oz.

Caught in all of this is Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), who is engaged to Glinda but finds that he may have deeper feelings for the one they call ‘wicked.’ In terms of gravitas and scope, “Wicked: For Good” has the first film beat, as we delve deeper into the politics of Oz, as well as the ever-shifting complicated relationships between everyone. Glinda in particular becomes the focal point of the film, as she is aware of how compromised she has become due to her wanting what she can not have (as well as gaining from those who have been wronged by Oz).

Are kids going to enjoy the politics of Oz? That is a good question. My nieces and nephews all loved the movie, but notably did not ask to listen to the soundtrack on the way home (as opposed to the first film, where we were streaming the music before we got to the car). Musically, a duet between Glinda and Elphaba, highlighting the difference they made in each other's lives, is a standout, as is a three-way duet where the Wizard tries to negotiate a ceasefire with Elphaba (complete with a lot of fun visual effects and dance moves). Most of the songs, however, are less memorable this time around, and I’m struggling to hum many of them mere hours after my viewing ended.

Likewise, the vibrant colors of the first film are more drab and monotone this time around, adding to the heightened dramatic tone of the film but managing to wipe out what made the first film aesthetically pleasing to the eye. For all the flaws of the film, though, I have to admit it ended in a more than satisfying way, and even managed to bring in more lore of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ in fun and surprising ways. ‘Instant classic’ is not a term I’m going to use this time around, however, “Wicked: For Good” is ambitious in its conclusion, even though it puts aside many of the elements that made the first film so memorable.