Did ‘Wicked’ really warrant a two-part film adaptation?

 Grab your tissues — “Wicked: For Good” is an emotional cyclone that trades the first film’s fun characters and upbeat songs for a darker plot packed with distressed protagonists and gut-wrenching ballads.

While the first film is an upbeat musical about friendship in the Land of Oz, the second is a more depressing movie about Oz’s descent into fascism. This begs the question: with both films now released, did “Wicked” really need a two-part film adaptation? 

On one hand, the two-part structure gave Director Jon M. Chu the time to flesh out his vision of Oz and give the complex character dynamics time to marinate. On the other hand, Wicked’s second act is generally regarded as the show’s lackluster half, making a weaker second film inevitable. 

Having seen the original Broadway show, ‘For Good’ takes more creative liberties when adapting the stage show’s second act than it did with the first. The film adds a myriad of new scenes that highlight Oz’s horrific atrocities against animals and better underscores the contrasting agendas of the film's characters. Unfortunately, these additions were not enough to recreate the grandeur of the first movie. 

If you are anticipating a “Defying Gravity”-level moment in this film, you will be disappointed. While the first Wicked contained a spectacle of flashy musical numbers, the songs in this movie are more character-centered and toned down in scope, similar to the stage production. 

That is not to say the film’s musical elements aren’t good —because they are, but stripping down the grandiose song-and-dance sequences that made the first film so beloved might be a surprise for some audiences. This is especially true for those unfamiliar with the Broadway show.

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s stellar performances as protagonists Elphaba and Glinda alone make this film worth seeing. 

Erivo is magnificent. Her electrifying voice carried her vocal performances, and her acting beautifully portrayed Elphaba's vulnerability and anger as events in the film unfold. We truly see her transformation into wickedness, and it is glorious. 

And while the first “Wicked” was largely centered around Elphaba’s story, ‘For Good’ is Glinda’s movie. The first film already showed that Grande can deliver on Glinda’s perky mannerisms and upbeat personality, but here she also perfectly captures the character’s most vulnerable moments of emotional dissonance. But as strong as these actresses are on their own, the film truly shines when Erivo and Grande are side by side on the big screen. These two have undeniable chemistry. There’s a certain shot of them at the end involving a closed doorway that was absolutely heart-shattering.

Jonathan Bailey is also back and better than ever as Fieyro. At this point in the story, the character is stripped of his happy-go-lucky charm. But Bailey is more central to the plot here and is unfathomably enchanting as the movie's central heartthrob. 

Unfortunately, Michelle Yeoh had the weakest performance in her portrayal of Madame Morrible. Yeoh was strong in the first movie as Elphaba’s stern yet compassionate mentor. But here, her performance as the film’s antagonist is much weaker. Most of her line deliveries were stereotypical and uninteresting. She also had more singing lines in this movie, making her inability to sing more distracting.

There are also two new original songs not featured in the stage show: “No Place Like Home,” performed by Erivo’s Elphaba, and “Girl in the Bubble,” performed by Grande’s Glinda. 

While it’s always a joy hearing Erivo sing, her new song didn’t add much to the film’s narrative. On the other hand, Grande’s new song was a welcome addition, fleshing out a pivotal moment for the character. 

So while “Wicked: For Good” isn’t as strong of a standalone film as the first, it doesn’t need to be. Chances are, if you’re watching this film, you’ve seen the first one. The second part provides enough to engage fans and deliver a satisfying conclusion for Elphaba and Glinda.

Much like the films’ two female protagonists, “Wicked” and “Wicked: For Good” are drastically different, but paired together, they tell a thrilling and heartfelt story that will truly change you for the better. 

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