Ever since I walked out of the theater on November 22, 2024, wiping mascara off my cheeks after “Defying Gravity,” my brain has been living in Oz rent-free. That was the moment the countdown began. Not in months, holidays, but in how many days stood between me and Wicked: For Good. No matter what I was doing this year, part of me was always somewhere in Oz.
When the day for part two finally arrived, everything in my life immediately paused. School assignments? Nah. Tests? Are you kidding?! I probably answered at least one question with the lyrics of “No Good Deed.” I wasn’t thinking about anything besides Wicked: For Good. All day, I kept checking the clock, counting down the “clock-ticks” until I was at the Riverside Mall in Hackensack.
I rushed out of school, practically flying, in my green sweatsuit paired with a pink claw clip…the only time ever I picked out an outfit the night before school. I kept talking about Wicked to anyone who would listen (and probably to people who didn’t want to listen). Everybody in my world knew that November was dedicated to Wicked.
If I’m being completely honest, I already planned to purchase two more accessories to complete my outfit. First was the Elphaba cup, detailed with its own swirling Yellow Brick Road and topped with a miniature Elphaba on her broomstick. But the real showstopper was the Glinda popcorn bucket with a mini, glowing Glinda sitting inside in her bubble, ready to receive my popcorn.
When I walked in and saw both in stock, I felt like I was five years old again. I kept thinking, Wow, I’m living my childhood dreams! Everyone in this lobby probably thinks I’m an actual child. But I did not care. I was glowing and ready.
As soon as the lights dimmed and the opening scene began, I couldn’t help but cheer and cry at the same time. I truly entered a flow state. I was finally about to see the second half of my favorite musical of all time. The part of the story that shaped so much of why Wicked is meaningful to me. Now onto the movie itself.
After waiting an entire year, I can confidently say that this movie was spectacular. In some reviews, people claimed this movie didn’t measure up to the first, but I strongly disagree. The second part is almost a direct adaptation of Act II of the Broadway show, so naturally, people who disliked the second act weren’t going to love this film. I have always connected with the second half of Wicked, not just for its songs, but for what it stands for. It explores themes of truth, complicated friendships, forgiveness, and girls growing into women. When people ask me which is better, I honestly think the second movie made the first movie even better. Together, they feel complete, like one full story.
Cynthia Erivo delivered another powerhouse performance, taking the role of Elphaba to new heights. She was commanding, in control, and, most of all, telling a story that I felt deeply connected to. “No Good Deed” was breathtaking, and the effects used truly made this performance badass. Definitely one of my favorites from her. Now I can’t even get my head wrapped around her duet with Jonathan Bailey, “As Long as You’re Mine.” This was INTENSE. Honestly, a little spicy. My jaw? DROPPED. Their chemistry practically cracked the screen. The emotion, vocals, everything AMAZING.
The film also felt very much like Glinda’s uprising and Ariana Grande’s defining moment. Her acting and singing were breathtaking and raw. She brought so much emotional nuance to Glinda that it felt like watching the character get more mature and more heartbreakingly self-aware right on screen. She balanced the bubbly energy of her character with real vulnerability, and she did it so well I forgot she was human. I have no critiques at all. She was fantastic, and there couldn’t be anyone else who could take on this role as she did.
Something I noticed in this film was that it felt like Fiyero played a bigger role than in the musical, and People’s “Sexiest Man Alive,” Jonathan Bailey, delivered beautifully. As someone who has been a die-hard Bailey fan since Bridgerton, I was screaming inside every time he appeared. He was so distractingly charismatic that I genuinely could not take my eyes off him. The scene would be happening, plot moving, and my brain would be going, Sorry, what were we talking about? I’m busy staring at Jonathan Bailey! He acted and sang with such warmth, confidence, and depth. Also… how is he still attractive dressed up as a scarecrow, his face sculpted in burlap?
One of the biggest surprises for me was how much I loved the two new songs written by original composer Stephen Schwartz. New additions to musicals can go either way, and luckily, these songs added new dimensions to the story and the characters’ backstories. They fit perfectly into the film and added meaning to moments the original show didn’t explore as deeply.
If there was one thing I went feral for in this movie, it was the transformations. I had to know how the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion would actually work on screen, and the anticipation had me gripping my seat as I watched these characters’ metamorphoses. The mix of CGI effects and acting made each reveal feel magical and shocking, even though I knew they were coming. The only thing I wished for was a bit more development for the Lion. I didn’t know how far they’d go with his character, but I definitely wanted him to talk more.
And then there was Dorothy. I loved that they didn’t show her face. It felt respectful to Judy Garland and kept the focus on the storyline from Glinda and Elphaba’s perspective, while giving us that iconic moment down the yellow brick road.
The movie’s setting was phenomenal once again. The film kept the same immersive atmosphere that made the first part so visually striking.
My one critique of the films remained consistent. Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard and Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible still didn’t fully stand out. They weren’t bad by any means; they just didn’t hit the emotional intensity that the rest of the cast delivered. That being said, Goldblum’s “Wonderful” was amazing, as he was fully committed to that moment, and the surprising addition of Glinda in this number (a departure from the Broadway version) made it even more exciting.
The grand finale, “For Good,” a heartbreaking duet between Elphaba and Glinda, broke me in every way possible. The harmonies, flashback, and every lyric. I stopped pretending I wasn’t sobbing at that point. And when Dr. Dillamond reappeared, my tears returned right along with the hordes of animals, this time out of pure happiness.
By the time the credits rolled, the whole film made the year-long wait completely worth it. I’ve already seen the film twice, and I’m absolutely planning to see it again. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of going back to Oz.
