IMPORTANT: SPOILERS AHEAD!
From the moving themes to the captivating visuals and powerful performances, “Wicked: For Good” does not disappoint. Grossing $524 million worldwide and receiving a score of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, “Popcornmeter”, this musical was an incredible success and left global audiences wanting more.
One of the most notable parts of the movie was its heartfelt themes. Friendship, love, self-sacrifice, and ostracization between the protagonists, Elphaba and Galinda, touched viewers to the core. Many fans came to the theater for a meaningful experience and received exactly what they paid for.
What some didn’t expect, however, was the political commentary that “Wicked: For Good” offered. From Elphaba’s rebellion against a fascist government to the animal rights movement, spectators get a window into the deeper meaning under the surface.
In addition to the political analysis, a similarly acclaimed part of the film features compelling and alluring designs. The emerald green and black color palette, worn most notably by Elphaba, contrasts impeccably with Galinda’s pale pink and white.
These colors allow the audience to visualize “right” from “wrong” and see that things are not always what they seem.
Additionally, design choices also included the cinematography, which some critics have claimed to be the best of the year. The director, Jon M. Chu, as well as his cinematography coordinator, Alice Brooks, both helped this movie shine by utilizing distinct visual styles that focus on light, shadow, and color to convey the characters’ emotional journeys throughout Oz. Between the CGI purple monkey warriors and the other talking animals, these talented individuals let their true flair show through their creativity.
Furthermore, the most essential element of any movie is the actors chosen to portray the characters. This is where Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, as Elphaba and Galinda, respectively, let audiences know that there is no place like a film set for them.
One of the most notable actions made by both actresses was the choice to sing each and every song completely live on set. In addition to the tempo and range being incredibly difficult to perform, singing live adds an entirely new depth to the movie, which Erivo and Grande accomplished beautifully
Our stars, Elphaba and Galinda, couldn’t have done it alone. Prince Fiyero (Johnathan Bailey), Boq (Ethan Slater), Nessarose (Marissa Bode), The Wizard (Jeff Goldblum), and Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) all came together to make “Wicked: For Good” all the more realistic.
In addition to their magical singing voices, their phenomenal acting blew audiences out of the water. Contrary to the belief that the actor’s fame would make it all the more difficult to see them emulate characters like the Tin Man, Fiyero, or the  Wizard, they managed to sweep everyone off their feet in the performances of a lifetime.
Overall, “Wicked: For Good” is an incredible musical, but its colors were truly allowed to shine in film as well. This moving story was full of important messages about heartache and love, which audiences devoured globally. This, combined with the cinematography and portrayals of characters, made the film truly outstanding. What started off as a timeless Broadway musical has become a worldwide phenomenon, and audiences cannot wait to see future generations enjoying the film as much as they did.