In his Wicked: For Good review, Kevin Bourne says that despite having less “wow” and sparkle than its predecessor, Wicked: For Good still a “highly enjoyable instant classic”.
One of the most highly anticipated films of the year is Wicked: For Good, the sequel to Wicked (2024) and prequel to The Wizard of Oz (1939) which fills the holes in the 86-year-old Wizard of Oz story. It’s a coming-of-age film that not only tells the origin story of Elphaba, The Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda the Good, the Good Witch of the South, but some of the beloved OG Oz characters.
It also provides another perspective on Dorothy’s arrival in Oz, and her quest to meet the Wizard and defeat the Wicked Witch. With Dorothy being the central character around which the original The Wizard of Oz story is told, director Jon M. Chu does an excellent job of presenting Dorothy as a faceless background character while telling the story from the perspective of Elphaba and Glinda. A kind of look behind the curtain.
Similar to its predecessor, Wicked: For Good continues to ask the questions, “What’s fake and what’s true?” and “How much of what we believe comes down to narratives we’re told?” Despite taking place in a fictional larger than life setting, these questions are relevant as ever in today’s narrative driven and highly politicized society where deepfakes and AI are a reality.
Among all the groupthink, Elphaba dares to question the status quo. Everything is not as it seems as she’s painted as evil and rebellious for not going with the program and wanting to uphold the truth. This leaves her to decide whether she’ll give in to the temptation to go with the flow, or whether she’ll do like Public Enemy and fight the power.
As expected, the film is beautiful. Over the years, we’ve been starved of big colorful and whimsical musicals and both Wicked and Wicked: For Good are just that. A part of the magic behind the Oz films is their cinematography, big colorful settings, and showtunes that transport viewers to another world and add to the grandeur and storytelling. In that, Wicked: For God is a throwback to a bygone era in cinema that we need more of.
Still, where it falls short is in living up to the expectations set by the first film. While still being breathtaking in its own right, Wicked: For Good has less wow factor, magic, and grandeur. Fortunately, it makes up for it with great storytelling as we learn more about the Oz characters we know and love, which provides a sense of fulfillment and closure for viewers as everything is brought full circle. And although there are less standout musical moments, the film’s namesake song “For Good” is an instant Best Original Song candidate, providing the backdrop for a beautiful and heartfelt conclusion.
At its core, Wicked: For God is a love story; not between star-crossed lovers, but between friends who grow to become sisters as they find each other again after being taken down separate paths. The dynamic between Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande is beautiful and palpable as their off-screen friendship shines through. Adding to the entertainment value is Jeff Goldblum who once again shines as the underwhelming Wizard.
In the end, if you’re looking for an exact clone of Wicked, you may find yourself slightly underwhelmed. But filmmaking isn’t just about the razzle dazzle, it’s about the story and in that, Wicked: For Good actually outshines its predecessor. If you’re a long time Oz fan who loves the characters and a well told story, set in a beautiful world, this film is a joy to watch. Either way, despite having slightly less magic and sparkle, Wicked: For Good is still a highly enjoyable instant classic.
Kevin Bourne is SHIFTER’s Toronto-based editor and Senior Entertainment Reporter focusing on Black music and film & TV. He was named one of 340 international voters for the Golden Globe Awards and a Tomatometer-Approved Critic by Rotten Tomatoes.
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