'Wicked: For Good' is an epic conclusion to the iconic stage play | Film Review

I thought Wicked Part 1 was a great expansion to Oz… but Wicked: For Good? That was totally wicked!

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in official 'Wicked: For Good' poster | Photo: Universal Pictures

If you’ve read my Wicked Part 1 review, you already know how much I liked the first film, so it’s no surprise I liked the second one as well. But there’s so much to cover with this continuation. Just to make you aware, there will be spoilers in this review, so keep that in mind if you want to continue watching, but I am so ecstatic to talk about this film, so let’s get started.

As soon as the film kicks off, the stakes are higher than ever. Animals have lost all rights and are basically being used as slaves to construct the yellow brick road. Elphaba is being targeted, and despite it all, she’s still determined to help her animal friends. Glinda is really in the spotlight now, being the face of Good, even though Madame Morrible, who has never really liked her, is using her for her own agenda.  

The visuals of For Good remain stunning. One of my favorite visual scenes is during Wonderful, with the pink and green lighting. It was absolutely beautiful on the big screen.

Even the facial movements of the mechanical Oz head during the song felt less scary, but still showed the fakeness of it all. It’s an interesting scene that leads up to a striking contrast of visuals cut between each other, with Glinda’s bright, vibrant wedding to Elphaba’s dark, shameful discovery of the caged animals.

Lighting is really important when it comes to affecting moods. Seeing Glinda walk down the aisle, even though you know Fieryo's feelings are stronger toward Elphaba, and you know something is about to happen, you would normally feel happy for Glinda. But cutting back to Elpha in the dark space with animals caged, you can feel the suspense building, and you just wonder what Elphaba is about to do, especially after they all really just reconnected.  

I also noticed some cool symbolism this time around. One being, Madame Morrible’s hair. In the first film, I think her hair was pinned up in the shape of a cloud, whereas in For Good, her hair is looser, hanging down a little more, almost like a tornado, which we all know what she does.

Another is when Elphaba does a spell on Nessarose. Her sister was floating in the air and the sparkly slippers glowed red, clear symbolism of the ruby red slippers.

There were some really fun connections to the Wizard of Oz. Nessarose, with her stripped socks on, the cowardly lion, portrayed by Colman Domingo, all grown up now, and seeing how Elphaba’s magic turns Boq and Fiyero into the Tin Man and the Scarecrow.

We got our glimpse of the Tin Man pretty soon after he transforms, but that wasn’t the case for the Scarecrow. While I was watching, I wondered why they waited to show his face in that form, but at the end, I thought it was a beautiful choice, letting us as the audience "discover" him at the same moment as Elphaba. She still sees the beauty in him, just like he with her.

We see Madame Morrible creating the tornado that brings Dorothy and Toto into town and causes Nessarose’s demise. Like I mentioned in my Part 1 review, it’s a really fun nod seeing Dorothy and the gang. And despite not showing Dorothy’s face in For Good, I can understand why they made this choice.

I saw online that the director said he “didn’t want to step on who you think Dorothy is in whatever story that you came into this with.” “It’s still Elphaba and Glinda’s journey” and that Dorothy’s presence is there, but she’s not a fully fleshed-out character. I thought it was a cool approach of how they included Dorothy, and I personally did like the close-up of the bucket of water thrown and the shadows on the wall. It provides context of what’s going on, but not necessarily retelling the Wizard of Oz, and what we already know happens.

A few other standout moments that I loved are The Wizard discovering Elphaba is his daughter and his instant remorse after he finds out she “dies.” Elphaba and Fieryo’s love story. The parallels of them seeing the beauty in each other, even when they can’t see it in themselves. I feel emotional just thinking about it. And the twist at the end of Elphaba being in this hidden space when everyone else thought she was dead, and Fiyero wasn’t too "brainless" to forget her. And they leave together. I thought it was beautiful.

As I write this, the soundtrack isn’t out yet. But I can't wait to hear it. I listened to the original soundtrack a little, but  I wanted to try and avoid spoilers even though I still saw a few spoilers online. No Good Deeds was epic, and For Good was a heartfelt and touching way to close out the friendship and sisterhood of Elphaba and Glinda.

In conclusion, sweet Oz. Like someone said to me, “if you need a good laugh, look at Part 1. If you need a good cry, look at For Good.”

It was great being back in a space with people who just appreciate this world and the many stories surrounding Oz.

I feel my takeaways are the same from the first film, especially how the powers that be create enemies, whether it's Elphaba or the animals. How someone as “powerful” as the wizard, people will still trust them because they need someone to believe in. It's a tale of friendship, love, power, propaganda, lost rights, and fighting what you believe in.  

Elphaba did what she did through good intentions. But after being framed, losing Nessarose, and before he returned, Fiyero, being targeted by everyone, when she thought Glinda betrayed her, but it was much more complicated for Glinda. I mean, it got to a point where I think both Elphaba and Glinda accepted the title of wicked.

It’s just a really beautiful film. I can only hope to witness the stage play someday.

Check out the trailer that will change you for good below: