Last year, John M. Chu’s film adaptation of Wicked set the November box office on fire and became the fifth-largest film of 2024. The film, inspired by a musical adapting a novel by Gregory Maguire, took the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch from L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz and reimagined them as adolescent rivals and then friends before being divided by the political machinations of The Wizard. The film focused on the first half of the Broadway show and ended where audiences would have intermission.
Wicked: For Good covers Act Two, which is thought of as the weaker act of the stage show: it’s shorter than Act One, doesn’t have as many big musical numbers, and is so much more serious. However, you’d never know that watching the film. The additions and adjustments Chu and his crew bring to the film make it a true equal to the first film and capture the same magic… to a point. The end feels very rushed and creates some big plot holes for the story, but even at its lowest points, Wicked: For Good is better than any other musical film released in the past couple of years.
At the end of the first Wicked film, a powerful green-skinned witch named Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and her roommate and quirky best friend Galinda (Ariana Grande Butera) go to the Emerald City to see the Wizard of Oz, who is allegedly the most powerful magician in the land. Upon meeting the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum), Elphaba discovers he is a fraud who is subjugating the talking animals of Oz as a way to exert the power of a dictator. Instead of accepting the Wizard’s offer to join him in ruling Oz, the actually magical Elphaba declares war against him and flees the city.
Wicked: For Good picks up years later. Galinda (now Glinda) accepted the Wizard’s offer that Elphaba refused, but like the Wizard, she too is a fraud that cannot do any real magic. She is elevated to the position of “Glinda the Good” by the Wizard’s propaganda minister Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) to counteract “The Wicked Witch of the West,” the kingdom’s new moniker for Elphaba. Meanwhile, Elphaba lives in the forest and conducts raids on the Wizard’s soldiers so she can free the captured animals, as Oz is their home too.
Cynthia Erivo plays Elphaba with powerful singing and emotional scenes that show how her character grows throughout the story. Ariana Grande stars as Glinda, bringing a bubbly personality but also showing a deeper side with strong acting moments.
The supporting characters, like Fiyero and Madame Morrible, also play important roles that help move the story along. The chemistry between Elphaba and Glinda is the heart of the movie, making their friendship feel real and exciting to watch.
The movie has big musical moments that students will recognize from the show. There are emotional songs like “For Good” and intense ones like “No Good Deed.” The music helps add excitement and feelings to important scenes, making the story even more powerful.
Oz is bright and colorful, but Part 2 also has darker and more dramatic visuals to show how the story is getting more serious. The costumes, makeup, and special effects help bring the magical world to life. The movie also has bigger and more exciting scenes than Part 1, making it feel more like a real adventure.
There are big conflicts between Glinda and Elphaba that show how their friendship is tested. The movie has exciting action and magic moments that keep you on the edge of your seat. Toward the end, there are emotional scenes that really touch your heart. The finale is amazing because it connects the story to Part 1 and makes everything make more sense.
The Wicked movie stays very close to the Broadway musical in many ways, especially with the songs, characters, and main story. Fans will recognize their favorite songs and important scenes that make Wicked so special.
However, there are some differences too. The movie adds new scenes and changes a few parts to fit better on screen or to show more of the characters’ feelings. These changes help make the story work well as a movie while still keeping the magic of the musical alive.
Wicked Part 2 is definitely worth watching because it finishes the story in an exciting and emotional way. The movie stands out with amazing acting, beautiful visuals, great music, and important themes like friendship and making choices. Overall, the two-part movie does a great job of bringing the beloved musical to life on the big screen, giving fans a chance to enjoy Wicked in a whole new way.
