‘Wicked: For Good’ – An adequate epilogue

One of the defining cinema experiences of 2024 was watching Cynthia Erivo shatter the ceiling of theatres across the world, hitting high notes hitherto unknown with her climactic number ‘Defying Gravity’.

Wicked: For Good has the unfortunate experience of having to follow that act. As Elphaba becomes the Wicked Witch of the West, the film must also wrestle with the known story of Dorothy and her trek to see the Wizard.

It’s a tall order for a movie, but in its two hours and 17 minutes, Wicked: For Good feels like it’s doing the best it can without quite hitting the mark. The film has several characters to develop and tries to serve them appropriately, yet it buckles under its own weight. At times it belabours some points and rushes through others. To say it has pacing issues would be an understatement.

Part of what works is the fact that it’s framed like a war film, so its haphazard approach to the narrative can be forgiven as it portrays a sort of chaos.

As Elphaba strives to free Oz from the oppression of Jeff Goldblum’s Wizard, you’re given a rhythm of actions and consequences. The weight of the conflict is felt, especially when the film is locked into its lead actresses, with Erivo’s Elphaba functioning as a freedom-fighter and Ariana Grande’s Glinda performing as a propaganda puppet.

The conflict for the land of Oz is brought to the fore through their friendship. Their performances take a grand plot and work it into something more intimate. It’s helpful since Wicked: For Good feels more akin to the Broadway show, with the world at large feeling implied rather than explicitly seen. That’s extended to the most with the inclusion of elements of The Wizard of Oz that can feel awkward in execution.

Despite its problems, I’d be lying if I said Wicked: For Good wasn’t enjoyable. For all its shortcomings, the moments that matter are present, especially as it relates to the co-leads. The music numbers never quite hit the stupendous heights of the first film, but what this finale lacks in vocal performance, it more than makes up for in emotional resonance.

What’s frustrating about Wicked: For Good and its predecessor is just how plainly it is to see the cracks both suffer from being split into two parts. Fans who waited a year are sure to be pleased, but at the end of the day, it’s half of a movie only worth seeing on the big screen at half price.

Rating: Low Half Price

Damian Levy is a film critic and podcaster for Damian Michael Movies.entertainment@gleanerjm.com