There’s no place like home, especially when home returns with a sequel. “Wicked: For Good” clicks its heels and brings audiences back into the magical World of Oz in the highly anticipated sequel to the 2024 blockbuster. Directed by Jon Chu, the Wicked sequel was released on Nov. 21 to a Rotten Tomatoes score of 68 percent. The Wicked franchise, adapted from the novel by L. Frank Baum and the award-winning Broadway musical, reimagines the World of Oz through the eyes of its witches.
“Wicked: For Good” picks up directly after the events of the first film, following The Wicked Witch of the West, also known as Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), as she faces the consequences of being branded “wicked” by the public. The film also focuses on her counterpart, Glinda the Good Witch (Ariana Grande), who rises to political prominence in Oz. As the tensions in Oz grow and Elphaba begins to spread doubt over the Wizard’s (Jeff Goldblum) authority, both witches must confront the stories and legacies they are leaving behind. Similar to the original 1939 film, “Wicked: For Good” goes beyond the good versus evil motif and shows the complicated relationships between the characters.
Visually, the film was even more impressive than I had expected. The bright colors reflect the palette of the first film, but the movie doesn’t shy away from taking a more mature and dark look at Oz, switching the pink-and-green color scheme for more red and black.
Both Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande embody their characters and pay homage to the previous Glindas and Elphabas, but they also put their own unique spin on the characters and their dynamic. Grande adds a comedic effect to the film, while Erivo offers a more grounded presence. Their friendship on and off-screen is clear in their chemistry, and it is the heart of the film. During heartfelt moments in the film, it seemed that there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
However, despite its many strengths, “Wicked: For Good” fell short in a few aspects. The two additional songs, titled “No Place Like Home” and “Girl in the Bubble,” don’t fit the original music, with a more pop-music feel rather than the traditional musical of the original songs composed by Stephen Schwartz. Compared to the originals, the new additions stick out like a sore thumb compared to the rest of the soundtrack. Additionally, The Wicked Witch of the East (Marissa Bode) failed to hit the notes in her titular song, and Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) delivered a similarly flat performance.
Despite the few flaws, “Wicked: For Good” still defies the gravity of my expectations. I was pleasantly surprised by the changes made by the main and supporting cast. The film shows more of the emotional connection between the two witches, in a way more personal than the on-stage production. For any longtime fans and newcomers, “Wicked: For Good” is a must-watch and leaves a lasting mark, for good.
