Sparky Reviews Wicked: For Good

Copyright: Universal Pictures, and Gregory Maguire. The picture can be found on Wicked Movie's official Facebook page.

Transition from Stage to Screen Can Be Difficult

Within the entertainment industry, there are an endless number of genres.  Genres are way for viewers to see what film interests them most.  Some people enjoy action films while others love romantic comedies.  Even people like me love horror films much to the dismay of others.  Regardless of what you love, film genres help give the entertainment industry flavor.  However, there’s one film genre that has always been around even since the earliest days in film.  This film genre is musicals. 

Since the earliest days of cinema, musicals have been a staple.  From The Jazz Singer to La La Land, musicals have always been a staple in the film industry. Being able to tell a story from the perspective of music.  Many films are original pieces of work.  While others are straight from Broadway much like the film, Wicked.

At the end of last year, the most anticipated 2003 musical phenomenon was hitting the big screen named Wicked.  I’d be very surprised if you, fellow readers, haven’t seen or at least heard of this film.  From advertisements to re-releases on the big screen, Wicked really took the film industry by storm.  Then, the trailer came out for the final part of the film, Wicked: For Good.   

Obviously, fans exploded about the prospect of seeing the epic conclusion of Wicked on the big screen.  With Wicked being an already existing medium to which many people got into theater because of it, expectations for Wicked: For Good became extraordinarily high.  With all the pressures that Wicked has put onto Wicked: For Good, is it better than the original? Will it stand alone as the epic finale of a cultural phenomenon to meet viewers’ expectations?

Let’s find out together. In this episode of Sparky Reviews, we’re going to be reviewing Wicked: For Good to see how this film shines and concludes the series. 

Wicked: For Good is Much Darker Than Wicked: Part One 

One of the main things that distinguishes Wicked: For Good vs Wicked is the tone of the film.  Wicked: For Good follows a year gap after the end of Wicked just like the musical.  As such, this film focuses on Elphaba’s fight to show that the Wizard of Oz is a fraud while trying to clear her name in addition to saving the animals of Oz.  Along the way, she discovers more secrets and information with the help of the newly appointed Witch of the Good, Glinda and Captain of the Guards, Fiyero. 

From first glance, this film’s story is significantly darker than the first film.  While the first film set the basics of the story, Wicked: For Good is a continuation and result of the choices of the first film.  The charm and whims of the first film that pulls a lot of people into the world of Wicked are gone.  Elphaba is now seen as public enemy number one as The Wicked Witch of the West by Madame Morrible and The Wizard of Oz. 

While there’s a lot of serious moments, there are a lot of enduring moments as well. Moments that show the growth in the characters that show how much they’ve grown.  Rest assured, we will discuss this in the next section.  Plus, the story shows that Elphaba was never truly the bad guy.  Wicked: For Good really focuses on how propaganda can change the perspective of others. 

To be perfectly honest, the story in Wicked: For Good is much more fleshed out than Wicked. This isn’t to say that Wicked doesn’t have a good story.  In fact, the story takes elements from the musical, the book, and even original content to tell the story.  However, the story in Wicked: For Good is much more mature and real.  There are real consequences to what the characters do that will transform their futures.  While the story does make Wicked: For Good shine, it’s the characters that make the story shine. 

The Characters Go Through True Changes

Much like Wicked, Wicked: For Good is a character driven story.  Simply put, a character driven story is when characters push the story forward.  This type of storytelling creates incredibly compelling characters.  Granted, Wicked is already an existing medium.  Written as a book series by Gregory Maguire, the book industry was introduced to a new perspective of the wonderful Wizard of Oz. Then, in 2003, a new musical was taking Broadway by storm turning into a cultural phenomenon.  This new phenomenon was called Wicked.  Wicked took elements from the original source with original elements to tell a compelling and complex character driven story. 

Within Wicked: For Good, the characters have changed.  After Elphaba leaves and becomes a public enemy, all the characters have changed to fit their roles.  One of the things that this film does incredibly well is showing the emotions of the characters. 

The fact that Elphaba is being pointed out as the bad guy when she isn’t.  The characters go through various emotions to fight between telling the truth and accepting the role they have been put into.  There’s much more drama and consequences than the story of Wicked.  With that, this film really focuses on Elphaba and Glinda’s relationship.

The best friend duo is pulled into drastically different directions. As Glinda is a public figure as The Good Witch while Elphaba is a public enemy. There are several moments that focus on their complicated friendship which is the true push of the film.  Hell, Elphaba and Glinda are the focus of the poster, trailers, and promotional art. 

Personally, I adore all the characters in this film.  Yes, there are some characters that I find annoying but all of them serve their purpose for what they need to accomplish.  The main characters are even more profound and truly shine.  Another factor that helps Wicked: For Good is the outstanding music. 

Wicked: For Good Focuses on The Music to Help Tell the Story

Wicked fans can rejoice as Stephen Schwartz has returned.  He brings to the table returning in addition to new songs to enhance the story of Wicked: For Good.  Much like the musical, Wicked: For Good brings familiar music.  Songs like As Long as You’re Mine, For Good, No Good Deed, and Thank Goodness have returned with new voices.

With the new cast, it’s fair to be hesitant.  Rest assured that the new cast brings the power and the relatability of the music that so many have fallen in love with.  The most distinguishing thing about Wicked is its storytelling through music.  Which Wicked: For Good does without missing a beat. 

Even to the point of including new original songs.  Which is amazing from a story telling aspect.  With including new songs, this opens the door to more character development and lore that wasn’t discussed before.  The way that all of the songs help the characters express their stories and feelings is powerful. It's one of the reasons why the Broadway show was such a hit. Which is what I believe is the most powerful aspect of Wicked: For Good. This film uses elements of storytelling and musicals that embrace the true heart of the film. Even with a new cast, the music hits just as hard as it did the last time the music hit the stage.

Wicked: For Good is a Powerful Conclusion to a Beautiful Series

From what I've shown here, it's safe to say that Wicked: For Good is a beautiful film and a perfect film to complete the series. The story, characters, and music bring power, darkness, and completion to this beloved series.

Thank you for reading this review. Have you watched Wicked: For Good? Let me know what you thought of it. Let's talk about this epic conclusion. If you like what you read today, please feel free to subscribe and follow along as I make more reviews. Feel free to share this review and follow me on all of my social media platforms. I have them down below in my social media section.