Wicked: For Good, debates how to save a land that seems broken beyond repair. Do you battle fascists like Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo)? Cooperate like Glinda (Ariana Grande)? Indulge in cruelty like the Ozian Guards? Or, flee for unknown lands like the persecuted Animals? Can a troubled second act be shaped into a coherent political allegory? Sort of.
Screenwriter Winnie Holzman wants to debate the effectiveness of respectability politics. She also wants to appeal to teen and queer audiences. So, the Witches struggle over whether to kiss the Sexiest Prince Alive (Jonathan Bailey) or each other. Erivo and Grande have chemistry. Their confrontations lean into romance tropes, allowing a queer reading. It helps that the heterosexual love duet is ineptly staged. Bailey unbuttons his shirt while Erivio tries on a sweater(?). She wanders the set aimlessly. When she finally returns to him, he scream-sings in her face. It’s the campiest scene in the film. Director John Chu seems to give them no direction. He’s busy smearing Vaseline on the camera lens.
Why are the colors faded? Why are the images blurry? I overlooked this in part one. It’s impossible to ignore here. Is it because CGI animals are overlaid on the practical sets? Will it look cleaner on a cell phone than a cinema screen?
Stephen Schwartz’s new ballads focus on the political themes. He tweaks some stage songs to help non-singing stars Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum. I was sad that he didn’t flesh out the thinly drawn supporting roles. Marissa Bode and Ethan Slater at least add a jolt of horror to the proceedings. Yeoh and Colman Domingo have nothing to work with.
The film is faithful to the source material, for better and worse. I was entertained but I wish it was stronger. The new material tilts the film in Grande’s favor. Erivo is never allowed to become truly wicked. The story sorta works if you don’t overthink it. But I’m a theater major. Overthinking popular entertainment is what I do.
For an anti-fascist musical that commits to the queerness, stream J.Lo’s Kiss of the Spider Woman. Read my review of Wicked Part I here. You can find more of my reviews on The Avocado, Letterboxd and Serializd. My podcast, Rainbow Colored Glasses, can be found here.