From its stage production adapted to Wicked and its followup, Wicked: For Good brings the ambitious musical full circle and provides a reasonably satisfying conclusion to a grand production.
Branded a villain and threat to the city of Oz by the treacherous Madame (Michelle Yeoh) and not so powerful Wizard (Jeff Goldblum), Elphaba (Cynthis Erivo) is labeled The Wicked Witch while a guilt ridden Glinda (Ariana Grande) is groomed as The Good Witch to lift the people’s spirits. With an exodus of shunned animals, Elphaba is desperate to confront the Wizard to save her friends and find true love. Glinda is torn between fulfilling her duties and her sisterly bond with Elphaba. Can both find their own happiness amid dark times?
The film is an emotional journey that works when it centers upon the core relationship of Elphaba and Glinda. The pervasive theme is one of unrequited love, and the story also depicts the origins of iconic elements like the Yellow Brick Road and the Munchkins. While this magical tale merges its revisionist take with the more familiar narrative of the original Wizard of Oz, it is telling how the story, despite having the advantage of expanded, back to back films, skirts over details involving Elphaba’s fate and the evolution of major characters like the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and especially the Scarecrow.
Lavishly
produced with gorgeous sets and costumes, the film, despite its darker tone,
has its redeeming moments as the dynamic duo of Erivo and Grande sparkle with their acting and glorious singing
while Goldblum is splendid leading
the supporting cast. Despite any shortcoming, this is still an entertaining
journey; it’s a narrative where
secrets are revealed at the end with some that must remain that way.
**** of ***** stars (for hardcore fans)
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