Wicked: For Good
Wicked: For Good
Starring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum
Directed by John M. Chu
Five years after Elphaba Thropp (Cynthia Erivo) waged war against the Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum) for his mistreatment of the Animals and deceiving the people of Oz, Glinda (Ariana Grande) has become the symbol for good for the people, working with the Wizard and Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) to give people encouragement and hope for the future as Elphaba continues her quest to free the Animals and give them equal rights. Former friends find themselves more at odds as their fates divide them, and a new visitor to Oz threatens to end their friendship forever.
When I first saw "Wicked" I went in with no expectations. I never saw the play, I never read the book, and only knew a little about the lore of it. I knew that the Wicked Witch wasn't as wicked as she was in the original novel, and that she and Glinda were friends. I had my doubts that Ariana Grande could act, and honestly I was just going because I wanted to see everything in theaters like I usually do. Then "No One Mourns the Wicked" started and I was blown away, and it only went up from there. The Ozfest, the connection between Elphaba and Glinda, and especially "Defying Gravity" soared my spirits and made me "obsessulated" for how it would all end. To say my expectations were sky high isn't too far from the truth, and while it failed to deliver the same sense of whimsy and wonder I felt in the first, it still cast its spell on me.
One of the main strengths of the original is the music, which was all over social media and in my Spotify playlist (and still is today). I couldn't get enough of the entire soundtrack (except for Goldblum's "A Sentimental Man") and couldn't wait for the new batch of songs to hit the same way. Sadly, only "No Good Deed" and the title track hit, and both seemed cut-off, like they were supposed to be longer but were cut for time. I wanted more. What I got was exceptional, but I wanted extraceptional (if "Wicked" can make up their own words, I can too). There were two songs made specifically for the film (and more than likely so both would be nominated for Best Original Song, which I wouldn't be surprised if it happened) sung by Erivo ("No Place Like Home") and Grande ("The Girl in the Bubble") and I was again expected to be blown away, but I was just pleased by them.
The other issue I had with this movie is the pacing. Although shorter than the first, there's a lot more story to be told here that feels rushed. We get an almost three-hour vision of how Elphaba and Glinda became friends, but only two hours and fifteen minutes to cover so much more. Emotions seem to fall by the wayside for moments I expected more, and issues seem to be resolved with a simple cacophony of words. The emotion was there, but it wasn't emotional. I wouldn't have minded another almost three-hour movie to bring everything to full conclusion, and in that sense I felt like it rushed through several aspects of the story.
That being said, I still found myself mesmerized. I couldn't keep my eyes off the screen, and was transfixed by every visual wonder. Because both films were shot at the same time (something more movies should do, so we can get a faster turnout and make them feel more continuous), John M. Chu's Oscar-winning team remained intact, so obviously we'll see their names come up again come Oscar time. Nathan Crowley's elaborate production design shines even though the story turns darker, and Paul Tazewell's costuming is as eloquent as ever. Cinematographer Alice Brooks gives sweeping visuals that captivate the senses and her long one-take scene for Grande's "The Girl in the Bubble" song was awe-inspiring. Chu's effortless direction brought everything together, giving a visual wonderland worthy of the whimsy and wonder of Oz.
Yet again the film's main light is the stars. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are truly magical, and seeing how these former foes-turned friends-turned foes-turned friends-turned...well, you get the picture...ends is truly gripping. Erivo once again shines as Elphaba, a former outcast who finds her power and sets out to right the wrongs done by the Wizard, while still yearning for acceptance and love. She's fierce and powerful, but also tender and sensitive. It's fascinating to see her connection with Glinda as the women come to blows but also hug it out, showcasing the tightrope walk both have to perform to maintain their respective reputations.
Ariana Grande, by some miracle, actually is even better now than she was in "Wicked," and I'm more convinced than ever that this is her year for the Oscar. Originally, Glinda was a shallow, popular girl who despised Elphaba for looking different, and even after the nice things she did for her, she still came across as shallow. Now, she's a voice for good, but also a flawed woman with a girl inside yearning to be magical (a flashback showing her as a child is heartbreaking, seeing why she is who she is today). She, like Elphaba, only wants love and acceptance, and while it's easier for her to find, it's not the real thing. She only finds her real self in Elphaba, but their dueling fates keep them separated. She finds her voice here, and it's a powerful one - but also showcases Grande's effortless charm, charisma, and comedic timing as well.
Without going into spoilers, while the music isn't as catchy and the film could've made do with a longer runtime, the story told in "For Good" is as splendid as the original, leaving me rejoicifying and giving my congratulotions to the "Wicked" franchise for captivating this old man's heart.
The Score: A+
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