Photo courtesy of IMDb

“Wicked: For Good” hit movie theaters on Nov. 21. It is the sequel to “Wicked,” directed by John M. Chu.

“Wicked: For Good” was wicked, indeed. For over two decades, “Wicked” has captivated audiences on Broadway with its dazzling visuals, powerful vocals and emotional story about friendship, identity and the blurry line between good and wicked. When Hollywood announced it would adapt the musical into two feature films, fans waited eagerly. The director, John M. Chu, transformed the stage performance into a new version on the big screen.

Set in the magical world of Oz, the viewer is taken on an unforgettable adventure. “Wicked: For Good” stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda. This movie goes beyond just Dorothy skipping along the yellow brick road.

“Wicked: For Good” is the movie adaptation of the second act of the Broadway show, “Wicked.” “Wicked” has been on Broadway since 2003 and has been extremely successful throughout its entire run. The first movie, “Wicked”, was an adaptation of the stage musical’s first act. The sequel picks up from the second act of the original story after a four-year time jump.

The end of the first “Wicked” movie shows Elphaba (the Wicked Witch) flying away from the corrupt leaders of Oz. The sequel shows the continued corruption of the leaders of Oz, this time joined by Glinda.

Ariana Grande displayed her growth as an actress with her depiction of Glinda, showing raw emotion, humor and grace. Glinda may seem like a ditzy, stereotypical blonde, but in this movie, viewers see that she has so much more depth. Cynthia Erivo has a voice like no other. Beyond her stellar acting, her singing captures an audience with a single note. Since her iconic riff in “Defying Gravity,” Erivo has shown that she is a force to be reckoned with.

The movie premiere also demonstrated Erivo and Grande’s abnormally close friendship. Fans of “Wicked” have paid close attention to the press tour and have seen some weird moments between the two. Whether it was the crying or the viral “holding space” moment, Erivo and Grande have stayed on social media feeds. Although the close relationship seemed odd, it worked amazingly well in the movie. Their friendship shone through their characters; fans were rooting for Elphaba and Glinda as a team. 

The set of “Wicked” makes Oz feel like a real place that viewers can step into. From the Emerald City to Munchkinland, the set designers created an immersive experience. The pink and green colors were vibrant and eye-catching. The costumes and makeup were equally as well done. The makeup for the Tin Man was extremely realistic, as his skin truly looked like it was made of metal. Glinda’s gowns were magical, full of movement and perfectly fit for a good witch. 

“Wicked: For Good” features 11 songs. The standout songs are “Wonderful” and “For Good.” “Wonderful” is sung by Erivo, Grande and Jeff Goldblum, who plays the Wizard. Goldblum’s bass tone paired with Grande’s soprano blends in a heavenly manner. The song is upbeat and catchy. Grab tissues for an emotional closing with “For Good,” which captures the essence of Elphaba and Glinda’s friendship. The best example of a tearjerker!

In comparison to the first movie, “Wicked: For Good” was just as enchanting, although it did not have as many hit songs. “Wicked” has some spectacular songs, the best including “Popular,” “What is this Feeling?” and of course “Defying Gravity.” “Wicked: For Good” may not be as good as the first movie in regard to the song aspect, but it still hit the mark on vocals and background instruments.

As for new additions to the movie series, viewers can see the Tin Man, Scarecrow and, in the iconic blue checkered dress and braided pigtails, Dorothy. Tin Man, formerly known as Boq, was played by Ethan Slater. Viewers know Boq as an awkward, silly guy who has a crush on Glinda. Slater gave a remarkable performance as Boq, heartbroken, rejected, trapped and worst of all, tin. Boq/Tin Man is angry and vengeful, and Slater is the one to thank for the intense emotion. 

In short, “Wicked: For Good” is worth the over 2-hour excursion to the movie theater. Flying monkeys, flying houses and flying witches, oh my! The music and setting make it a must-see.