“Wicked: For Good” changed me for the better
Some stories stick with you long after the curtain falls, and for me, “Wicked” was one of those. I was first introduced to the musical when I saw it on a family trip to Europe at 8 years old. In London, during a heat wave and sitting inside a sweltering theater with no air conditioning, I sat wide-eyed in the audience, completely captivated and in awe of the thrilling performance. Now, eight years later, the wait for the long-anticipated conclusion of the film adaptation is finally over. Needless to say, my expectations for this movie were very high, and it did not disappoint.
This movie continues the storyline of the first, taking place five years after. Elphaba, played by Cynthia Erivo, is now in hiding after discovering that the Wizard and Madam Morrible seek to enslave animals, and Glinda, played by Ariana Grande, now works as the Wizard’s spokesperson. The movie follows Elphaba and Glinda as their paths cross again and their friendship is tested as Glinda helps Elphaba take down the Wizard and save the animals in Oz.
One thing that struck me throughout the movie is the intentional limited use of CGI and emphasis on practical effects. For example, the talking head that the Wizard uses to speak to Dorothy was created and robotically controlled on the set, and the scarecrow and tin man appearances were created through costumes and makeup that took hours to fabricate instead of computer generated visual effects. All too often, perfectly good movies are weakened by so much CGI it starts to feel artificial, so it was nice to see the opposite approach.
Another highlight was the stunning vocals from the entire cast. As expected, Cynthia Erivo delivered an incredible performance as Elphaba, bringing both intensity and vulnerability to songs like “No Good Deed.” Ariana Grande shone in the higher, lighter range of Glinda and her voice perfectly complemented Erivo’s during their harmonized duets. I was also pleasantly surprised by Jonathan Bailey’s amazing performance as Fiyero in “As Long as You’re Mine”, which was surprisingly strong for someone not primarily known for singing and Ethan Slater’s delivery as Boq in “March of the Witch Hunters” brought genuine emotion and depth for the character.
Despite enjoying the movie overall, I was very disappointed with Ariana Grande’s portrayal of Glinda. Although being an amazing singer, her acting struggled to match the emotional depth required for the character, especially when part of such a talented cast. Some of her line delivery felt stiff and overly comedic and did not fit emotional moments. I also felt that Michelle Yeoh’s performance as Madam Morrible lacked energy and she came across flat and unbothered even in moments that were meant to hold power. It seems both actresses were cast more for their fame than their acting ability.
Altogether, “Wicked: For Good” succeeds in capturing the magic of the stage musical, from the stunning practical sets and costumes, to the powerful vocals. The movie immerses audiences in a world that feels both fantastical and real. While not every performance was perfect, the emotional depth, memorable songs, and compelling storytelling make this adaptation a triumph. Personally, watching this story again reminded me of why I fell in love with “Wicked” as a child, and how its lessons about loyalty, bravery and doing what is right continue to inspire me, truly leaving me changed for the better and for good.
