Wicked: For Good Review: A fantastic adaptation of the weaker half
Spoilers ahead for Wicked: For Good!
I hadn't really been a fan of Wicked before I watched the first film. I only ended up going to see the first film because of my mom's glowing review of the play. I thought a green witch and Ariana Grande in a prequel to the Wizard of Oz (one of my least favorite classic books) was just too hard a sell for me to enjoy. And, obviously, I was dead wrong, and Wicked was my favorite movie of its respective year. So, how did Part Two hold up after I've become a Wicked mega fan? That's what I will be tackling in today's review.
First, I want to tackle the elephant in the room: how was Wicked: For Good as an adaptation to the second half of the play? Absolutely. Sure, pretty much everyone agrees that the second half of the play is the weaker half. Seeing the main draw of the first act, Galinda and Elphaba's friendship, be torn apart, makes for a less heartfelt experience throughout the second half. Elphaba and Fiyero's explanation for what they have been doing between the two acts is shallow, as it doesn't really establish their relationship or Elphaba's villainy. Also, Galinda becomes a little too villainous towards her friend in the second act. And, overall, the pacing is quite weak compared to the first act.
All of the above are various criticisms I've heard of the second acts from friends, family, and our beloved Internet comment sections. Most of these people still said they enjoy the second act, of course, but not as much as the first. I included the specific criticisms above because I agree with them. However, even with these problems, the second act is still great, and this film was a perfect reimagining of the stage play's second act. The only part that wasn't the best adaptation was Elphaba's death scene... it just seemed very ridiculous and unbelievable in the film, with the way it was shot and performed being a little too campy.
The story is drawn out a decent bit more than in the play due to being around double the length, but, outside of the opening sequence and the engagement sequence, it didn't feel like it dragged at all. While they're definitely the most generic and forgettable songs in the film, I enjoyed the new songs that were written for the film. They added an extra layer to the plot, showing Galinda's obsession with glamor and Elphaba's dedication to being good.
A sequel doesn't need to apologize for being slightly less than its predecessor when it is still a great movie. Despite a weaker second act and diminished new songs, Wicked: For Good remains a great adaptation that succeeds where it matters most.
Some standouts from the film in general include: the smart social commentary surrounding the animals and munchkins as stand-ins for marginalized groups; the incredibly strong performances by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande; the tackling of racial prejudice that Elphaba faces; and the backstory for the original cast of The Wizard of Oz. I know many didn't like this backstory because it had some conflicting elements with the Wizard of Oz or whatever, but as somebody who will take anything Wicked over the original story, I didn't really mind...
The Reel Ranker Verdict
Reel or Unreel? - Reel
The Reel Ranker Score: 75%
Letter Score: A
Star Ranking: 4 out of 5
Yes, the second act of Wicked is a clear downgrade from the first. The film dragged at times; the new songs are a step down from the originals, and some plot twists are obvious. But the second act of Wicked? It's still the second act of Wicked. Wicked: For Good is still really good—a practically perfect adaptation of the source material, even. Everyone should watch it: a sequel that doesn't need to apologize for being slightly less than its predecessor, when it is still a great movie. It always happens with two-parters—one is worse than the other. It's inevitable. Just go watch this movie.
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