Caution: Spoilers Ahead
After the spectacular release of “Wicked: Part One,” fans were thrilled to watch director Jon M. Chu return with “Wicked: For Good,” which concludes the second chapter of the Broadway cinematic adaptation.
While Part One focused on the excitement of returning to Oz and making first impressions of the characters, the second movie leans into a more emotional and serious tone as it uncovers the consequences created by the problems in the first film.
Chu takes a more grounded approach this time around, making Oz feel less like a fairytale and more like a real place dealing with real problems. This choice makes the emotional moments hit even harder, especially during the musical performances.
Elphaba, played by Cynthia Erivo, delivers an amazing performance, showcasing her emotions while hitting extraordinary high notes. Meanwhile, Glinda, played by Ariana Grande, shines even brighter in this film with significant character development and some truly iconic performances. Their breathtaking duet of “For Good,” caused fans to either be on the verge of tears, or begin to sob.
Another performance that I enjoyed was Ethan Slater’s portrayal of Boq and his transformation to the Tin Man. Once he got his heart ripped out, the audience can feel his anger toward the “Wicked Witch” and how he truly craves revenge. Despite his everlasting love for Glinda, he looks at her as if she’s dead to him, and he delivers his lines so perfectly.
However, I wish we had seen more character development from Fiyero, played by Jonathan Bailey, so his arc felt less incomplete. His impulsive decision to run off with Elphaba, right after nearly marrying Glinda, practically destroyed a lot of the good in his character. It reveals what his true values are, and although choosing honesty was the right thing, he was still abandoning Glinda in the process.
The chemistry between Fiyero and Elphaba was incredible and undeniable. The film does an excellent job of showing how their love evolves from something reckless to something vulnerable, making their choices feel justified rather than wrong.
Still, the pacing of the movie felt a bit uneven at times. Whether it is from the writing of the Broadway play, or simply the director’s choices, the scenes could have slowed down a little. Also, it is good to note that the iconic songs like “Defying Gravity,” and “Popular,” were show-stoppers of part one; there aren’t many flashy songs on the same level.
Overall, even though “Wicked: For Good” may not have been as sparkly as the first movie, it provides the powerful ending this story needed. It delivers a finale that was heartfelt and grounded while also staying true to the original broadway version.
