Wicked For Good Review: JDM’s Take & Unfinished Business

‘Wicked: For Good’ Shimmers, But Doesn’t Quite Enchant like Its Predecessor

A darker take on the beloved story, Wicked: for Good, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, arrives in theaters November 21st, offering visual splendor but falling short of fully recapturing the magic of the first installment. Despite strong performances from its leads, the film struggles to justify its 137-minute runtime with added subplots and scenes.

A Darker Oz Emerges

This second part of the Wicked adaptation presents a markedly different Oz, one where Madame Horrible (played by Michelle yeoh) has successfully manipulated public perception. According to reviews, the narrative centers on the portrayal of the wicked Witch of the West (Cynthia Erivo) as a genuine threat to the inhabitants of oz, necessitating her elimination. She is depicted as a disruptive force, liberating animals and hindering the construction of the iconic yellow brick road.

Did you know? – Wicked: For Good is based on the 1995 Gregory Maguire novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, which offers a revisionist outlook on the classic Wizard of Oz tale.

Grande and Erivo Shine, But Story Feels Extended

The film positions Glinda (Ariana Grande) as the embodiment of goodness, carefully curated by The Wizard of Oz (Jeff goldblum) and Madame Horrible. This dynamic creates tension, as prince Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) finds himself caught between the two powerful women. While the performances of Erivo and Grande are consistently praised, the film introduces two new songs, scenes featuring Dorothy (whose face remains unseen), battle sequences, and additional subplots that appear to primarily serve as filler.

One observer noted that the added content doesn’t always enhance the core narrative.

Pro tip: – The film expands on the backstory of the characters, revealing the motivations behind their actions and the complex political landscape of Oz. Expect a more nuanced portrayal than the original story.

Visual Grandeur and Jon M. Chu’s Direction

Despite its narrative shortcomings, Wicked: For Good boasts impressive cinematic artistry. jon M. Chu’s direction is lauded, alongside the film’s lavish costumes, intricate sets, and stunning special effects. However, the question remains whether these elements are sufficient to elevate the film beyond a visually appealing, yet somewhat bloated, continuation of the story.

The film receives a rating of 3 out of 5 stars.

Why: Wicked: For Good aims to provide a darker, more complex backstory to the characters of The Wizard of Oz, specifically focusing on the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda. The film explores Madame Horrible’s manipulation of public perception and the political climate of Oz.

Who: The film stars Cynthia Erivo as the Wicked Witch of the West (Elphaba), Ariana Grande as Glinda, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Horrible, Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard of Oz, and Jonathan Bailey as Prince Fiyero. Jon M. Chu directed the film.

What: Wicked: For Good is the second installment in the adaptation of Gregory Maguire’s novel Wicked. It depicts Elphaba as a misunderstood figure fighting against oppression, while Glinda is presented as a carefully crafted image of goodness. The narrative revolves around the attempts to demonize Elphaba and justify her eventual fate.

How did it end?: The review doesn’t detail the film’s ending. It focuses on the narrative structure, performances, and visual aspects, noting that the added content feels like filler and the film doesn’t fully recapture the magic of the first installment. The film received a rating of 3 out of 5 stars.