Wicked: For Good finally lets Oz grow up

Wicked For Good  – currently in cinemas.  

Continues Defying Gravity with a Darker Twist – with most changes working “for good.”

Wicked began as a 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire, reimagining the witches of The Wizard of Oz with a political and moral twist. It was adapted into a successful Broadway musical in 2003, featuring music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and has since become one of the most successful stage shows of all time.

The long-awaited film adaptation, directed by Jon M. Chu, is split into two parts. Part two, titled Wicked: For Good, named after the final song, again stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda. This segment of the story covers Act Two of the stage musical, leading up to the events of The Wizard of Oz and extending slightly beyond them, where we begin to encounter Dorothy and learn about the origins of the Tin Man and the Scarecrow.

Two new songs have been added because not only is Act Two of the stage show shorter, but I believe one of the issues with the show is that all the standout songs are in Act One, while not much plot development occurs there. In contrast, Act Two is packed with action, yet the songs do not quite match the quality of those in Act One.

Some people love No Good Deed Goes Unpunished, but I do not think it is on a par with Defying Gravity. However, what they accomplish within that song in the film elevates it and clarifies the narrative significantly, marking a clear turning point for Elphaba.

The events depicted are quite horrific, emphasising the implications of what is happening, and there are darker elements that give this film, by necessity, a much grimmer tone than the upbeat feel of Part One. A political element has always been present in Wicked. The story gained renewed relevance during the Iraq War era, and that sense of political unease continues to run through this adaptation.

I have attempted to read the novel, but I found it impenetrable, dense, and dark. Nonetheless, the film draws on various elements from the book. For instance, at the beginning, we see the laying of the yellow brick road, which connects to themes of fascism and the treatment of animals, ideas that Maguire explores more explicitly in the original novel.

Elphaba’s new song is a clear reference to the original film and is titled There’s No Place Like Home. At one point, though, I thought Elphaba resembled Snow White, gathering all the animals around her.

However, there is much more to the film. I believe most of the changes made are for the better, with one exception. Allowing Michelle Yeoh to sing was a significant misstep. In the first film, her vocal limitations were well concealed, but they are exposed here, especially since she has been given one of the key lines from the stage show, ironically one that Madame Morrible does not sing in the stage version.

On the other hand, the rest of the cast deliver powerful performances. Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero embarks on his journey, although one must refer back to the first film to fully grasp his change of heart. Regardless of what he is transformed into, he remains undeniably sexy, justifying his recent award as the sexiest man alive. There is a very amusing, far-from-safe-for-work video clip of Ryan Reynolds asking Jonathan Bailey to tone it down and allow others a chance. As a piece of trivia, the horse he rides in this film is the same one he rode in Bridgerton.

It all looks and sounds beautiful, despite its darker tone. Jon M. Chu continues to showcase his distinctive flair and style for movie musicals, seen previously in In the Heights and Crazy Rich Asians. Overall, his approach justifies the decision to split the story into two separate films rather than one.

The second of the new songs belongs to Glinda, The Girl in the Bubble. This song fits the plot better and is beautifully performed by Ariana Grande, who truly shines in this film and expertly navigates the changes in her character.

However, the issue with the new songs is that both are ballads, and Act Two of the musical is already quite heavy on ballads. Ideally, it would have benefited from an up-tempo number. Nevertheless, if one wants to win an Oscar for Best Original Song, a new song is necessary, as nothing from the original score is eligible. My prediction is that this song will be nominated, and there is potential for Ariana Grande to win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.

Jeff Goldblum continues to enjoy a successful career portraying Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard, and he is a delight to watch. The film cleverly sidesteps what I thought could be a plot hole from Part One regarding the destruction of the Wizard’s balloon, as it does not mention it at all.

Overall, the film looks and sounds stunning, embracing a darker tone while incorporating two new songs, one for Glinda that aligns better with the plot. Most of the changes enhance the narrative, with the story resonating more deeply due to its political undertones and backstory revelations. The star-studded cast shines, although allowing Michelle Yeoh to sing one iconic line may have been a misstep.

Overall, this second half of Wicked soars with magic, emotion, and a fresh twist on a familiar Oz tale.

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[Image Credit | The Hollywood Reporter]

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