My Review of Wicked:For Good!!!- (⭐⭐⭐⭐/5)

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I truly have been changed for good.

Wicked: For Good is the highly anticipated follow-up/2nd act to it's predecessor: Wicked, released back in 2024. Watching the first one on the big screen was an awesome experience and really immersed me into the magical world of Oz, naturally making me anticipate the arrival of it's sequel. I went into this film with extremely high expectations, and MAN did it deliver.

As it is set 12 months after the events of the first film, Wicked: For Good dives deep into the political underworkings in Oz, such as Galinda becoming spokesperson to the Wizard and Elphaba being titled the "Wicked Witch of the West". There is quite a significant tonal shift from the first act being happy and bubbly to the gritty and dark tone of the second act, however, the switch is handled in a smooth and immersive way which does not muddle the powerful message it delivers.

Talking about the performances, Cynthia Erivo shines as the noble witch who aims to expose the wrongdoings of the Wizard and restore justice to Oz. Her internal rage and poignant sadness is brought out through numbers such as: "No Good Deed" and "For Good". Even though her acting is extremely moving and emotional, this film belongs to Ariana Grande. Her emotional arc is more prominent in this installment and her performance emanates the broken and conflicted nature of Glinda perfectly, tugging at the heartstrings of the audience. The entirety of the supporting cast, specifically Ethan Slater (one of my favourite performances in the film) and Marissa Bode, are utilized more and have much deeper character arcs than they did in the first act. 

The cinematography by Alice Brooks is significantly better, oozing with glamour and exploding with bright colors during the musical numbers, as opposed to the somewhat dull visuals in the first one. The musical numbers are choreographed in an captivating and entrancing manner, which aids in pushing the film forward in terms of pace, despite it's heavy political content. My personal favorite song was "For Good", which really captures the sweet friendship that Glinda and Elphaba share, while also staying true to the stage adaptation.

Despite all the positives, the film does lag in a few places, specifically the middle portion of the film. The romantic track between Elphaba and Fiyero was quite dragged and some scenes did not hit as hard as others. However, Wicked: For Good is a beautiful film that brings the grand story of Oz to an end, leaving me with a plastered smile to my face and a heart full of joy.

⭐ Rating: 8.5/10 and check this one out for an emotional, magical and heartwarming ride!

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