Wicked: For Good Review

After a long year of anticipation for Wicked 2, hearing Ariana’s incredible voice as Glinda again 

Watching Wicked 2 was an unforgettable experience getting to see Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, her powerful voice and deep emotions portrayed throughout the film makes her journey dealing with the Wizard and her powers resonate. Ariana Grande as Glinda shines. The audience could truly see her character development and growing emotional connection even when separated from Elphaba. Their friendship will always be the heart of the story, and the song “For Good” captures their bond perfectly. The differences between the two lead to their tight friendship of love and understanding.

The costumes continued to be beautiful with Glinda’s ballgowns elegant, shimmery and luminous- the blue and purple gems lining her dress adding a delicate sparkle. The visual and special effects of the film were strong and captivating, like the CGI used when Madame Morrible summoned a storm to go over Oz showing the swirling clouds as a threatening vortex. While some may criticize the film for “losing its magical spark” I wholeheartedly disagree.  This sequel may have had a darker sense to it when compared to the first, but it was amazing to see how the darkness from the Wizard, Madame Morrible, and their greed impacted the conflicts and gave them more weight. 

Bringing the animals who fought so hard to be valued back to Oz, Glinda earned her label as the “Good Witch.” While it faced controversy, Dorothy’s brief appearance at the end provided a connection when we saw her story begin from a different perspective. The director’s choice to hide Dorothy’s face allows the audience to keep their imagined version of Dorothy alive. Overall, Wicked 2 is an emotional film that has sentimental value to me since childhood, deepening my love for magic.