Wicked For Good
Dustin Chase
Expectations really drive your experience with arguably the most anticipated film of the year. Fans of the book and Broadway show had certain expectations last year when “Wicked” made its cinematic debut. Those unfamiliar with the material were left most impressed by the story, spectacle, and that emotional punch of an ending as Elphaba flies West. Now we are all on the same page, watching to see if Critics’ Choice winner for best director, Jon M. Chu, can stick the landing. “Wicked: For Good” is a film about consequences, which means the levity of the first one is gone. The irony in the tonal shift here is that there is less emotion this time around. Twenty-eight minutes shorter running time, “Wicked: For Good” has more action but less substance.
Glinda the Good (Ariana Grande) is the new face of Oz as she provides a bubbly pink contrast to The Wicked Witch of the West (Cynthia Erivo). The two friends have diverged down very different paths, as Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) works tirelessly to control how the citizens of Oz perceive the evolving situation. The construction of the yellow brick road is nearing completion as the animal friends of Oz retreat to another land. Fiyero (Bailey) and Glinda’s wedding is yet another piece of propaganda perpetuated by Morrible and The Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) to control the narrative. Elphaba’s good deeds go unnoticed despite her efforts to expose the truth to the citizens of Oz. A change in the weather will bring new opportunities as the not-so-wonderful world of Oz prepares for a reckoning.
The novel and the musical had different endings, and the film, too, has its own unique spin on the conclusion.
In last year’s film, Elphaba beckoned friend Glinda to join her in the crusade of truth and honesty. “Together we’re unlimited,” they sang. That portion of “Defying Gravity” is reprised, but this time, it’s Glinda asking Elphaba to join her and The Wizard. It’s not the only song that’s revisited from a different perspective. These moments are some of the highlights as audiences and characters look on from different viewpoints. In contrast, the low points are some questionable visual effects, Chu’s directional choices, and rarely anything related to Dorothy’s work. New song “The Girl in the Bubble” is an atrocious and useless entry. The novel and the musical had different endings, and the film, too, has its own unique spin on the conclusion. What it doesn’t have is that powerful ending that “Wicked” went out on, but then what film could match such a moment and a song like “Defying Gravity”.
Erivo and Grande have become bigger icons than the icons they are playing. Their on and off-screen friendship, unforgettable press tours, they have double-handedly elevated the film beyond any PR marketing imagination. “For Good” is a sincere finale for this imperfect cinematic achievement. It does everything it’s supposed to do for fan service, spectacle and entertainment value. The fact it doesn’t quite match the intensity of the first one will be forgotten as the two films become one story. Benefitting from a weak supporting actress race this year, Grande might even win The Oscar for the culmination of her Glinda performance (and because she’s “popular”). Yet no one, in all of Oz can sing, perform and act while on a wire flying across set like Erivo.
Final Thought
For good, not great.