‘Wicked: For Good’ Review: Coming Back Down to Reality for an Epic Conclusion

Following the magical and wonder-filled journey that was Wicked, now with the phenomenal Wicked: For Good, it’s time — to paraphrase Ariana Grande’s Glinda — for our bubble to pop.

Overall Score: 10/10

Image: Universal Pictures

Splitting Wicked into two parts was always going to be a tough sell. Already, some naysayers are claiming that the film adaptation’s two halves could have easily been one movie. I disagree with this. By halving Wicked, you allow more time for the story and its characters to breathe, not to mention certain well-conceived expansions to the source material.

This rings especially true for Wicked: For Good, which is based on Act Two of the Broadway production. As many undoubtedly know already, Act Two has long been regarded as weaker and rushed: there’s a sudden and jarring tonal shift, plot points pop up out of nowhere, and multiple characters are questionably sidelined.

I’ve already mentioned in my Wicked review how the latter problem is addressed, but it’s worth noting that Wicked: For Good does the same — in addition to fixing most, if not all, of Act Two’s other issues.

First, because For Good is a separate film altogether, it’s able to function as its own distinct experience. No longer is it bogged down by having to immediately pick up after “Defying Gravity,” allowing it instead to revel fully in its darker and more mature tone. Second, with an extended runtime, the film is able to properly develop and further contextualize its many subplots and thematic elements.

The best examples of this can be seen in For Good’s animal-rights subplot and political themes. Regarding the former, in the stage play, anything animal-related feels tacked on. Here, however, the oppression and suffering of animals are put front and center — so much so that PETA has openly and proudly championed the movie — which ultimately strengthens Elphaba’s meaningful mission to change Oz for the better for all living things.

As for the latter, For Good is steeped in politics — in a good way. The film effectively explores the use of propaganda, controlled narratives, and scapegoating, and how these tools can be employed to suppress opposition to the ruling party. Elphaba is out to expose the truth about the Wizard, but she’s up against government lies and the resulting public sentiment that she’s, well, wicked.

These heavier themes are also what give Wicked: For Good its staying power. One might even say that the proverbial bubble that was Wicked has popped, and that we must now come back down to reality. In other words, as much as audiences may want Elphaba to win her fight against the Wizard, we have to accept that, at the end of the day, some wars just can’t be won — at least not with the way things currently are.

At the same time, as Glinda initially does, we may want to turn a blind eye to society’s many problems. But eventually, like her, we must wake up and face facts, because no matter how hard we pretend otherwise, the world is by no means a perfect place.

All of this strongly reflects the state of our modern world. All too often, truth proves scarce, while misinformation is widespread and out of control. Far too many people ignore societal issues, and many of our governing systems are either failing or broken altogether. Some may have hoped that For Good would offer a more hopeful message instead of a mirror for us to hold up to ourselves. But I’d argue that its brutal honesty is what makes it so powerful and thought-provoking.

Moving on, let’s talk about our two leads, who are somehow even better than they were in Wicked. Cynthia Erivo is once again electrifying as Elphaba. And this time around, she imbues the role with a whole lot of justified anger — a quality on full display during her tour-de-force rendering of “No Good Deed.”

Ariana Grande, meanwhile, is absolutely heartbreaking as Glinda. Here, she delivers a much more internalized performance compared to her work in the previous film, achieving so much through her eyes and facial expressions alone. Of course, like Erivo, her vocals greatly contribute to her performance as well, and her beautiful new song “The Girl in the Bubble” is perfect proof of that — not to mention “For Good,” her tear-jerking duet with Erivo.

Lastly, Jon M. Chu’s directorial vision is once again a sight to behold. Just as he did in Wicked, he fills each big ensemble number with an infectious energy — even if, this time around, the songs aren’t nearly as cheery. More impressive, however, is how his direction is often more tender in nature, significantly enriching each of the film’s emotional beats.

All in all, Wicked: For Good is one of those movies that, against all odds, surpasses its predecessor. It’s darker and more grown-up, and in my eyes, it easily ranks among cinema’s best sequels — alongside the likes of The Godfather Part II and The Empire Strikes Back. But be warned: For Good is a devastating experience — though in the best possible way. Bring tissues. You’ll need them.