Let me share an anecdote from a high school trip I made to Broadway, immersed in various musicals, including one I was unfamiliar with, called Wicked: a Tony award-winning reimagining of the Wizard of Oz that left us all thrilled.
As we reached the climax of the show, witnessing Elphaba, the wicked witch, soaring above the stage while singing the iconic Defying Gravity, revealing her backstory before becoming wicked and finding self-acceptance, I was amazed.
I was so captivated that I mistakenly thought the show had ended, only to realize during the intermission that there was still an entire hour of Wicked left to enjoy.
Jon M. Chu’s film adaptation faces a similar challenge as the musical, with the most compelling elements concentrated in the first half, leaving the second half with the task of maintaining interest.
In Wicked: Part 1, released last year, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande delivered a focused narrative, exploring themes of goodness, self-determination, and resistance to tyranny.
However, Wicked: For Good shifts towards fan fiction, lacking the depth of the initial storyline but still offering competent performances and stunning visuals.
Returning to the plot
Picking up where the previous installment left off, Wicked: For Good delves deeper into Elphaba’s journey, her conflicts at the Ozian school, encounters with oppressed talking animals, and her alliance with Glinda against the Wizard’s oppressive rule.
The film continues to explore the central theme of Elphaba’s misunderstood character, portraying her as a hero sacrificing herself to save the world.
The performances by Erivo and Grande shine once more, with Erivo’s vocals standing out and Grande’s portrayal of Glinda showcasing layers of complexity.
Despite these strengths, the film fails to enhance the source material, relying heavily on CGI and struggling with pacing and narrative coherence.
The film struggles to adapt the stage magic of the musical into a cinematic experience, facing challenges in maintaining the enchantment and suspension of disbelief.
While Wicked: For Good has its merits, it lacks the grandeur and spectacle of its predecessor, opting for a more subdued approach that may not resonate with all viewers.
Shortcomings in Execution
Unlike the first film, Wicked: For Good minimizes elaborate set pieces and choreography, focusing more on individual performances and CGI effects.
The narrative loses momentum in the second half, feeling like an extended epilogue that struggles to maintain the depth of the original story.