Review 762: Wicked: For Good

The Wizard Lies writes Elphaba the (supposed) Wicked Witch of the West    Wicked: For Good is a spellbinding achievement; the type only comes once every so often. Such a visionary & creative use of all special effects tools to tell a story that's heartfelt and filled with depth as well to bring a world that's over a century old.

The film picks up five years after the events of the first film, Elphaba Thropp (Cynthia Erivo), now known as Wicked Witch of the West, continues her fight for animal rights while living as a fugitive. Meanwhile, Glinda Upland (Ariana Grande), now recognised as Glinda the Good, is a public figure watched over by the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) and Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh). As they face the consequences of their actions, their relationship is put to the test by a series of events-including the arrival of a little girl from Kansas-that will change the Land of Oz forever.

At its core, this is a film about corruption and brainwashing. How the public needs to be given baddies so that they can like the goodies. As the Wizard of Oz tells Elphaba during the excellent musical number "Wonderful" "Once folks buy into your blarney. It becomes the thing, they'll most hold on to." It shows how people are easily manipulated and controlled through a recut of clever lies and concocted fears, but in the end, it also shows that there is true magic in kindness, compassion forgiveness and love. It even carries over many of the weighty themes from the first film such as the mistreatment of animals - we see what it's like to have the animals voice taken away

As I was watching this film, I suddenly realised that this film, like the stage play, was going to overlap with The Wizard of Oz and they did it in a way that was not only seamless but made sense and recontextualized the events of the book and 1939 classic. The first was a shot of a house that was brought to Oz in a tornado and crushes a certain character to death. Dorothy is interestingly kept faceless throughout the film, being kept as a fleeting presence throughout the film

Not only did they manage to the events of  into The Wizard of Oz flawlessly, but they even gave Elphaba and Glinda's friendship the perfect closing, as Glinda tells Elphana, she's had many friends, but she's the only one that truly mattered. Even though  they have changed each other for the better, parted as close friends and are eternally grateful to have known each other.

Once again, director Jon Chu  his Broadway sense of blocking lends the film a strong sense of scope and majesticism. The score by John Powell is majestic,   the songs by Powell and Stephen Schwartz, "Wonderful", "As Long As You're Mine",  it is a powerhouse of music. True, it doesn't hit the same highs as the first film, but then again, very few musicals do. They usually have their best or perhaps most popular musical numbers in the first act.

Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande continue to be exceptional in the roles of Elphaba & Glinda respectively   She makes you feel the betrayal and the frustration of being scapegoated by the people of Oz in every word she says and every musical number she performs.    As she sings Her road of good intentions led to where all roads lead. Why does she love a land that's never loved her in return? 

In this film we see Glinda be put on this pedestal to be a symbol of hope and good for the people of Oz 

Johnathan Bailey playing Fiyero Tigelaar. In the time since Elphaba's defiance against the Wizard of Oz, Fiyero has become the Captain of the Gale Force. 

Marissa Bode  as Nessarose Thropp, now the governor of Munchkinland. 

Michelle Yoeh  playing Madame Morrible. 

Jeff Goldblum is a blast playing the Wizard of Oz. In this film, he is in full on villain mode for this film.