Wicked For Good Is A Charming And Enchanting Blend Of Music, Color, And Drama

Following on the success of the cinematic version of “Wicked”, “Wicked For Good” has arrived in a charming and enchanting blend of music, color, and drama.

Picking up shortly after the last movie; Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) is the most wanted individual in the land as she embarks on a crusade to expose the lies and cruelty of The Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum).

Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) will stop at nothing to see Elphaba captured or killed and has dispatched legions of soldiers and flying monkeys to bring in the Wicked Witch of the West.

Her former friend Glinda (Ariana Grande) is busy being placed on a pedestal to the masses as the “Good Witch” despite having no magical abilities and needing devices a trickier to hide this fact and win over the masses.

The complicated emotions and relationships are the driving point of the film as Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), becomes a point of contention due to his divided loyalties and personal desires.

Glida wants a peaceful solution and looks to bring The Wizard and her friend to an understanding that will allow them to move forward despite the challenges they must overcome.

This tension only grows as more betrayals are discovered and when the events that comprise “The Wizard of Oz” take place, the tone shifts to a darker and more somber mood.

As anyone who has seen the play will note, the toe-tapping and upbeat numbers are mainly in the first half of the musical with the second half devoted to more serious and reflective songs. The vocal talents of Grande and Erivo really shine and carry an emotional punch that helps convey the conflict and turmoil within the characters and while they do not resonate as much as Defying Gravity or Dancing Through Life, they still deliver.

Some may not enjoy the more serious tone and pacing of the second film but it is in keeping with the source material and still delivers a very enjoyable experience that fans of the original should enjoy as the movie is great viewing for the entire family and is filled with amazing performances.

4 stars out of 5