Now demonized as the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba lives in exile in the Ozian forest, while Glinda resides at the palace in Emerald City, reveling in the perks of fame and popularity. As an angry mob rises against the Wicked Witch, she’ll need to reunite with Glinda to transform herself, and all of Oz, for good.
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| (C) Universal |
To start, the "For Good" sequence near the end is outstanding. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande sing their hearts out with the camera pointed directly at them. Despite the simple blocking, the film’s thesis shines. It would be dishonest to say I wasn’t teary-eyed during this moment. This is the peak of the second act, and Wicked: For Good delivers.
However, the buildup to that moment tests one’s patience, aside from the strong start. Given the supposedly weaker material to adapt for Act 2, there’s nothing substantial enough to overcome those shortcomings.
As a result, the connections to The Wizard of Oz feel like an obligation rather than a source of satisfaction. Even the new songs fall flat, and the direction does little to leave a lasting impact. Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum even seem surprisingly bored. Despite having something important to say, the film manages to distract an audience already eager to see how it ends.
Despite all these, Erivo and Grande are committed enough to carry us through to the finale. Wicked: For Good still offers a satisfying conclusion to a saga I’m glad was made-one that reminds us of what goodness should be. 3/5 ⭐️
