It’s been a year since Elphaba flew onto our screens and into the sky wickedly escaping Oz at the end of Wicked, and now we have the epic conclusion to her tale.
Jon M Chu’s adaptation of Wicked: For Good, drawn from the Broadway musical and inspired by The Wizard of Oz, returns audiences to Oz in a dazzling finale. The vibrant pink and green palette established in part one continues to mesmerise, while the story narrows its focus to the complex relationship between Elphaba, Glinda and Fiyero, exploring the love triangle and difficulties of loyalty and prejudice. The musical numbers, both familiar and newly composed for the film, are well performed with sentiment and passion.
The film’s emotion lies in Elphaba and Glinda’s friendship. Now labeled the wicked witch of the west, Elphaba becomes determined to expose the wizard’s cruelty. While Glinda struggles to uphold her reputation as the “good witch”. Elements of The Wizard of Oz are subtly woven in, with appearances from Dorothy, the tin man, the scarecrow and the cowardly lion, adding to, rather than distracting, the witches’ journey.
Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard masks his villainy beneath his awkward comedic charm, so similar to his public persona that at times it blurs the line between the actor and the role. That is to say this makes him the perfect Wizard, deceiving the audience to believe he is ‘truly wonderful’. Jonathan Bailey’s Fiyero transforms into a courageous, passionate prince who has a change of mind (literally).
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo return for their reprise as Glinda and Elphaba. Grande captures Glinda’s emotional journey whilst balancing her delicate charm and comedic timing, whilst Erivo’s moving performance combines vulnerability with determination, strongly commanding the screen. Marissa Bode also returns as Nessa Rose, Ethan Slater as Boq, and Michelle Yeoh as Madam Morrible to enrich the world of Oz.
For fans of the musical, Wicked: For Good is definitely an emotional watch with a satisfying conclusion. Though certain aspects of the original plot are omitted, the film remains magical and visually stunning.
