- WICKED: FOR GOOD
- Starring: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande and Jeff Goldblum
- Directed by: John M. Chu
- Rated: PG
- Running time: 2 hrs 17 mins
- Universal
Our score: 4.5 out of 5
Let the joyous news be spread…”Wicked” is back!
When we last walked out of the theatre, Elphaba (the supremely talented Erivo) had flown off on her broom while Glinda (the equally good Grande) stayed behind in Oz. We had many questions. What’s up with the animals? What’s up with the goofy Wizard? And where in the hell is Dorothy? With “Wicked: For Good” questions, and more, are soon answered.
“Wicked” was an amazing piece of filmmaking, transforming the spectacular story successfully from the Broadway stage. It was full of fun and music, with with a story that didn’t take itself too seriously. In the new film, those tables are turned. Here the cast gets to display their many ranges of emotions, from happiness to despair, and they do it brilliantly. There is more “meat” in this story, and the cast is most certainly up to the task. Both Ms. Erivo and Ms. Grande carry the emotional weight of the film while Mr. Goldblum uses every quirky trick he’s ever had up his sleeve.
Musically, the score is fine, though, just as I thought with the Broadway show, the songs in Act II are not as strong as in Act I. There is no “Popular” or “Defying Gravity” here, though in a way this works for the story as it gives the audience the opportunity to concentrate on the performances rather than simply sing along. From the main cast to supporting actors like Bowen Yang and Ethan Slater, the cast is solid across the board.
Director Chu keeps the story moving at a fast pace, though nothing is rushed. Production design is top notch, with the artistic crew bringing Oz to life!
It may be hard to believe but, like the beloved “West Side Story,” “Wicked” did not win the Best Musical Tony Award (it lost to “Avenue Q.”). But I can safely say that “Wicked: For Good” is the Best Musical of the Year!
On a scale of zero to five, I give “Wicked: For Good” ★★★★ ½ .