Movie viewers are getting tired of excessive sequels that value quantity over quality. Story lines that could be compacted into one movie are being lengthened to fill more and more movies. Many people feel that this is simply a gimmick used by companies to make more money.
That being said, if done correctly, multi-part movies can leave a greater impact on the viewer because of its length and attention to detail. Wicked and Wicked: For Good are perfect examples that not only exceeded expectations, but changed our world for good.
From the first movie to the second, the characters matured, grew, and lost their naivety. Elphaba became courageous, Glinda became strong, and Fiyero became selfless. They are fictional representations of human weakness that can be turned into strength if only they persevere.
Wicked: For Good takes place in a less innocent Oz. The times are darker and everything is no longer wonderful. While the first movie centered around school drama, the newest movie focuses on Oz as a country with a corrupt government.
The story of Wicked is so special because it teaches the reality of trials and how governments are not all wonderful. Life is not perfect, but stories like Wicked teach us that we have the power to make a difference, even if it’s just changing one person.
Viewers who love musicals, drama, and fairy tales will love this movie. It had a little bit of everything;here was action, romance, comedy, and a deeper message.
Wicked: For Good stars Arina Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. While Cynthia Erivo impressed us all in the first Wicked, it was Ariana Grande that stole the show in Wicked: For Good.
Ariana Grande’s portrayal of Glinda was beautiful as well as vulnerable. Not only can she sing like an angel, but her acting was so real that I forget that she wasn’t actually Glinda.
Glinda is supposed to be the very picture of goodness, and Ariana Grande was able illustrate the toll that perfection can take on a person. Her rendition of “I’m Not That Girl,” brought me to tears because of how relatable her vulnerability was.
However the added song, “The Girl in the Bubble,” was not necessary and was quite boring. I would recommend this as the perfect opportunity to use the bathroom, because you would miss nothing other than a mediocre ballad.
I also did not particularly like the new “No Place Like Home,” sung by Cynthia Erivo, but I thought it was more enjoyable then the other song. Both songs were written by Stephen Schwartz, the original song writer for the broadway musical.
The new songs were necessary to extend the movie and to make it a full feature film. However they added nothing to the plot, but instead wasted our time.
Director Jon Chu is the wizard behind this masterpiece. He is most known for directing the movies Crazy Rich Asians and In The Heights. In both Wicked movies, he showcased his magic with otherworldly set designs and carefully chosen film shots.
While Wicked: For Good is an emotional movie there were also moments of levity that balanced out the serious nature of the film. Simple jokes were made throughout the film and there was even a humorous fight scene between two frenemies.
Overall Wicked: For Good was an excellent film that made viewers laugh and cry simultaneously. While it wasn’t perfect, it was filled with magic and love.
