WICKED: FOR GOOD brings us back to the emerald glow of Oz with the second half of the emotional prequel that solely survives on its cast to deliver a memorable experience. Let’s not beat around the bush with this. We have waited a year for the second half. And while the storyline itself was not a secret(for those who are familiar with the story), there was new music to be heard (No Place Like Home, sung by Cynthia Erivo/Elphaba, and The Girl in the Bubble, sung by Ariana Grande/Glinda). And let’s not forget Jonathan Bailey(swoon). Even with all of that to look forward to, WICKED: FOR GOOD stumbles in weird ways. Don’t be discouraged, though. There is still plenty of good in this film.
About WICKED: FOR GOOD
Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), now demonized as The Wicked Witch of the West, lives in exile, hidden within the Ozian forest while continuing her fight for the freedom of Oz’s silenced Animals and desperately trying to expose the truth she knows about The Wizard (Jeff Goldblum).
As an angry mob rises against the Wicked Witch, Glinda and Elphaba will need to come together one final time. With their singular friendship now the fulcrum of their futures, they will need to truly see each other, with honesty and empathy, if they are to change themselves, and all of Oz, for good.
Is WICKED: FOR GOOD Family-Friendly
WICKED: FOR GOOD has a 2 hour and 18 minute runtime and is rated PG for action/violence, some suggestive material and thematic material.
Overall, WICKED: FOR GOOD is generally safe, albeit a few intense scenes. Michelle Yeoh is one bad-a$$ villain. Madame Morrible is absolutely the worst and does not hold back. You may even remind yourself while watching the movie that Madame Morrible is just a character and you really enjoyed Michelle Yeoh by the end of Crazy Rich Asians. Be sure to pay close attention to her actions as she casts a spell in a particular scene. The way she moves with the words, her fingers specifically(you can see it in the trailer above), is what nightmares are made of. Yeoh acts as if she has been casting spells her entire life – and then plays it off like she knows nothing. It was wild.
While there are no instances of language, there is one small scene involving Elphaba and Fiyero that may warrant mild caution for younger viewers. The moment is brief and not visually inappropriate, but it is highly alluded that Elphaba and Fiyero share an intimate moment. This moment is super brief, perfect for a bathroom break if you need a diversion for younger children.
My Thoughts
From the opening scenes, the structure of WICKED: FOR GOOD feels somewhat scattered. The beginning pace is slow and feels very “all over the place.” It feels like scenes have been abruptly cut in certain places and you just “appear” in a new scene. This happens for a good chunk of the beginning of the movie. And then it just picks up speed and you are on an emotional bullet train to the end, sobbing the entire time.
Another noticeable difference is the music. The Wicked soundtrack is iconic—powerful, melodic, and timeless. In comparison, the music in WICKED: FOR GOOD is less memorable. Few numbers rise to the level associated with the original. I’m aware nothing will ever compare to “Defying Gravity,” but in the same sense, nothing came close in WICKED: FOR GOOD. That is not saying the songs are bad – they are quite lovely – but we weren’t singing anything on the way out of the theater. The music just doesn’t linger once the credits roll. If you were hoping for the next “Defying Gravity,” this soundtrack may feel underwhelming.
Visually, WICKED: FOR GOOD is stunning. There is much creativity in the landscapes, costumes, and magical realism of Oz. But, I can’t help but feel like I’ve been there before. Some scenes, especially the vibrant ones, were very reminiscent of Whoville. I can’t say that I remember full whimsical designs in Oz, but here we are. I won’t lie – it was distracting. Munchkinland was whimsical and I could see that being Whovian. But the original Oz, in my memory, is a grand place. While the original Wizard of Oz did have the horses of a different color, this was a weird combination of steam punk meets the grinch.
I’d feel remiss without mentioning Jeff Goldblum as Oz. In WICKED, he was the man, the legend. In WICKED: FOR GOOD, not so much. WICKED: FOR GOOD is more saturated with Elphaba and Glinda. We see even less of Ethan Slater and Bowen Yang. It felt as though the characters that had strong supporting roles in WICKED were just making cameos in this one.
The real power punch in WICKED: FOR GOOD lies in the performances of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. Together, the two create a dynamic that feels genuine and real. With Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, we are gifted with performances that are mesmerizing. It doesn’t matter what the faults are with WICKED: FOR GOOD, the moments these two share on screen make up for it. You will feel their love and it will rip your heart out.
I cannot stress this pro-tip enough, BRING TISSUES.
The ending is incredulously emotional, one that will rival the worst pain you have ever felt.
Overall, WICKED: FOR GOOD is not without its flaws—its slow, scattered beginning and less-than-memorable music may be disappointing. Somehow, it does come together by the end and leave you a hot mess of tears. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande make the film emotionally impactful. Despite all of that, WICKED: FOR GOOD ultimately succeeds in delivering the final chapter that deepens the legacy of Oz and celebrates the unwavering bond between two unforgettable characters.
Do not let this holiday go by without seeing WICKED: FOR GOOD. It’s important to have the closure and experience all the emotionalness(is that even a word?) of this film. WICKED: FOR GOOD is in theaters now. Grab your tickets. Grab a friend who will hold your hand and let you cry your eyes out without judgement. And no matter what, DO NOT FORGET THE TISSUES!
WICKED: FOR GOOD – IN THEATERS NOVEMBER 21
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A Disney blooded, crafty, fun-lovin’ wife/mom/organizer/planner, etc who is obsessed with all things Disney 🙂 Maria grew up with the Magic Kingdom and has loved watching WDW evolve into what it is today. A firm believer in the Power of Pixie Dust, she is the owner of The Disney Driven Life – A Community for Neurotic Disney People & a d.i.y. crafty blog, Carousel of Projects – create~inspire~share.
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