Director Jon M. Chu‘s “Wicked: For Good” is exactly what it advertises itself to be: a massive, over-the-top musical spectacle that brings one of the most popular mainstream Broadway hits to the screen. I’ll admit right away that I’m not the biggest fan of the Broadway show (most of the songs are like nails on a chalkboard to me), so my expectations weren’t sky-high going in. Color me surprised that not only did I find the movie surprisingly tolerable, it was even occasionally enjoyable.
In this second part of the two part film adaptation, the story dives deeper into the relationship of future Wicked Witch of the West Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Good Witch of the North, Glinda (Ariana Grande). The narrative shifts to Elphaba’s exile and her involvement in the animal rights rebellion, contrasted with Glinda’s new role as the Wizard’s public face and propaganda figure. It’s a bit of a weak story, but that’s not why audiences will flock like moths to a flame. It’s the lavish production design (which deserves all the praise).
The sets here are intricate and the costumes are absolutely gorgeous. Emerald City looks alive, magical, and full of grandeur, and there are moments when you just want to pause and take in all the detail. Unfortunately, some of the visual choices are downright jarring. The lighting, especially for the Scarecrow, is nothing short of abysmal. His makeup looks so bad on camera, which is shocking for a film with such massively obscene budget. It’s clear that a lot of care went into the design, but it’s nothing short of uneven. There’s as much that looks awful as there is that looks spectacular, which can make the film feel a little inconsistent at times.
The movie is also way too long and could stand some editing, especially in the middle sections where the plot meanders between palace intrigue, Ozian politics, and the back-and-forth tension between Glinda and Elphaba. For fans of “Wicked,” however,, this drawn-out storytelling may actually be a plus. There’s plenty of time to soak in the world, watch the characters develop, enjoy the set-pieces, and sing along with the big, bold, and theatrical musical numbers.
The story goes beyond the surface-level spectacle, too. It explores prejudice, social injustice, and how society can manufacture villains. It touches on political corruption, propaganda, and the moral compromises individuals make in oppressive systems. There’s also a strong focus on identity, authenticity, and what it means to be true to yourself while navigating a society that rewards conformity and punishes dissent. These ideas are woven into the story in a way that gives the film a surprising amount of depth for a big musical, although I can already hear the cries from the flyover states that it is “too woke.” Lighten up, it’s just a fantasy story!
“Wicked: For Good” certainly isn’t perfect. It’s too long and uneven in places, and the lighting and makeup can be downright bad. But there’s also a lot to enjoy, from the elaborate production design, dazzling costumes, strong performances from Erivo and Grande, and a story that celebrates friendship, courage, and standing up to injustice. For fans of the musical or anyone who enjoys a big, emotional, messy spectacle, this movie definitely hits the high notes.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 