With millions “changed for good,” Wicked: For Good premiered this Thanksgiving. Fans packed into theaters and were immediately “obsessulated” with the movie and the deep, significant themes.
“Wicked: For Good” picks up immediately after “Defying Gravity,” which was the cliffhanger in the first Wicked movie adaptation. The storyline begins with Elphaba portrayed as the fearsome Wicked Witch of the West and with Glinda as Oz’s Good Witch.
Elphaba is considered “wicked” because she stands up against the Wizard’s lies and fights for the animals’ rights. Glinda finally accomplishes her goal of becoming popular, adored, and secures a position close to the Wizard. Glinda even gets engaged to the handsome Prince Fiyero.
However, the plot follows the political upset in Oz as Elphaba keeps fighting for justice. As she is trying to accomplish good deeds, Fiyero ultimately joins forces with Elphaba not only romantically, but also for the cause of fighting for the animals.
As tensions arise in Oz with Fiyero joining Elphaba, the pair share a compassionate song, “As Long as You’re Mine,” where the couple steals the movie. It’s a blushing, exhilarating moment where they both exhibit love for each other “through a different pair of eyes.”
When Dorothy, played by Bethany Weave, joins the story, the storyline introduces some unexpected twists. Dorothy’s house tragically lands on Elphaba’s sister Nessarose.
Elphaba’s good act of saving Boq the munchkin from dying (by transforming him into the Tin Man) and saving Fiyero from the Gale Forces (by transforming him into the scarecrow) starts a manhunt for her, where she decides to fake her death.
“March of the Witch Hunters” provides a mob-like angst as Ozians rise up to kill Elphaba. Notably, in this song, Ethan Slater (who plays Boq and the Tin Man) performs the iconic “I’ll be heartless killing her,” verse extraordinarily well.
As the storyline of “The Wizard of Oz” creeps in as Dorothy joins the tale, Glinda faces her hardest trial: the consequences of leaving Elphaba for popularity and corruption. As she realizes that she hasn’t been “good,” she chooses to acknowledge what she has done and truly try to change for the better.
At this point, Elpaba and Glinda sing “For Good,” where they realize they both impacted each other greatly, showing true friendship and forgiveness. This song is gut-wrenching and heartbreaking because of the emotions and the idea that Elphaba and Glinda have to part.
In the film, two new songs were added that were not in the original Wicked musical: “There’s No Place Like Home” sung by Cythia Erivo and “The Girl in the Bubble” sung by Ariana Grande. Both songs were incredible, however; Ariana Grande’s range on “The Girl in the Bubble” was breathtakingly beautiful and passionate while deeply thought provoking at the same time.
Overall, “Wicked: For Good” is a story of true friendship and the hardships these friends face. It is an enduring tale with extraordinary songs, hard lessons to grasp, and wondering if you truly have been changed for the better.
