Wicked: For Good Is Actually Better Than the First

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Ariana Grande stars in Wicked: For Good, and the movie clearly centers around her character. While the first Wicked film focused on Elphaba and her journey to becoming the Wicked Witch of the West, this second installment shines a spotlight on Glinda, Elphaba’s best friend, portraying her as the seemingly perfect, but secretly ordinary, witch tasked with keeping the peace as Oz descends into a controlling state. Fans of the stage musical wondered how the story would work split into two movies, as the second half of the play feels less complete on its own – it’s faster-paced, more scattered, and relies heavily on what happened previously, as well as nods to the original Wizard of Oz. However, director Jon M. Chu has successfully made it work. Wicked: For Good is shorter than the first film and, though it may have less grand spectacle, it’s a significant improvement in terms of emotional depth and nuance. Many in the audience were openly crying by the end.

Ariana Grande delivers a surprisingly powerful performance, with much of the emotional weight of the film conveyed through her expressions. As one of the most famous women in the world, she captivates audiences as she portrays her character’s hidden pain. While she previously shone as a bright contrast to Cynthia Erivo’s darker role in Wicked Part One, Grande now brings depth to Glinda, transforming her seemingly perfect poise and graceful movements into outward signs of inner conflict. Glinda, once a cheerful princess, is now caught in a web of manipulation by the power-hungry Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) and Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), forced to become a symbol of Oz’s descent into tyranny. The film reveals Glinda’s past, showing her as a young girl driven by a desire for approval, and explores the difficult realization that pleasing everyone isn’t always possible. This journey makes Glinda a much more complex and often heartbreaking character in Wicked: For Good, offering a surprisingly relatable look at how life can push us all towards difficult choices.

Cynthia Erivo was fantastic in the first film, but the character of Elphaba has already become a legend – and a major marketing tool – as the story of Wicked: For Good begins. We see her portrayed as a frightening figure in advertisements, leading rebellions, and even featured on special editions of products. Despite this, Erivo portrays Elphaba as a deeply sad and vulnerable character, bringing a sense of melancholy to her strong-willed nature. Her fight for change hasn’t brought her freedom; it’s only made her feel more isolated. There’s very little romantic connection between Elphaba and Captain Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), who was the object of affection in the first film. This is complicated by his upcoming marriage to Glinda and his current role leading the search for the “Wicked Witch.” However, this lack of chemistry might be deliberate. Glinda and Elphaba share a deep bond that suggests no man could ever truly come between them, even if they are both in love with Fiyero.

The new movie, Wicked: For Good, is noticeably more mature and intense than Wicked Part One, which is a good thing. Those familiar with the stage show will recognize that some secondary characters eventually become Dorothy’s famous friends, and director Chu handles these transitions in a uniquely unsettling way, almost like little moments of body horror. Ethan Slater brings a satisfyingly fierce energy to Boq, the character who transforms into the Tin Man. The reveal of the Scarecrow’s face, however, is a bit of a mixed bag – I found it humorous, while a friend was genuinely creeped out. Wicked is full of surprises and isn’t afraid to be both charming and disturbing.

Staying true to its roots, the film doesn’t shy away from addressing current events. The original novel was influenced by the Gulf War, and the stage musical reflected the anxieties after 9/11 and the start of the Iraq War. Now, watching the characters in Oz lose their voices and freedoms, we clearly see parallels to real-world issues. However, these symbolic connections can feel forced or quickly become outdated, as seen with the attempt to present Cats as a warning about division. While the director might have considered a more direct, politically charged approach, Wicked: For Good uses allegory just enough to make its message clear, and then stops there – which is likely a good thing. Despite all the talk and singing about the people and animals of Oz and their uncertain future, the films haven’t truly shown us what life in this world feels like. We see the vibrant colors, impressive castles, and vast landscapes – including the construction of the Yellow Brick Road, which is portrayed as a harsh project meant to solidify the Wizard’s power – but the inhabitants of Oz remain largely background figures, used simply to emphasize plot points.

One of the surprising things about this new movie is that its focus on personal connection actually makes it better. I wasn’t a fan of the songs in the first Wicked film, and there are even fewer stand-out tunes here. Big, flashy musical numbers work on Broadway because of the spectacle of live performance, but they often fall flat on screen. This time, the director chose a more intimate, classic approach to the musical sequences—think less West Side Story, more Meet Me in St. Louis. The two lead actresses, while known for being big performers, actually shine more with quieter, emotional songs. This keeps Wicked: For Good from feeling repetitive and adds depth to the story. While it’s not a quiet movie, it’s more serious, focused, and relatable than the first one. Ultimately, it provides a surprisingly good ending to the Wicked story, at least for now.

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2025-11-18 20:55