The long-awaited cinematic event, Wicked: For Good, has finally arrived in UK cinemas today, November 21. This release marks the conclusion of the two-part film adaptation of the beloved stage musical, following last year's first instalment which starred Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.
A Tale of Two Witches
Fans who adored the first film, praised for its incredible portrayal of the iconic story, can now see how the narrative of the misunderstood Elphaba and her unlikely friendship with Glinda reaches its climax. While the story is set before the events of The Wizard of Oz and features familiar elements, it is not a direct prequel, as these new adaptations are produced by Universal. Each Wicked film corresponds to one act from the original stage show.
The Wicked Witch's Divergent Fate
A pivotal point of difference between the classic film and the musical lies in the fate of the Wicked Witch of the West. In the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz, the green-skinned witch, known as Elphaba in Wicked, meets her end when Dorothy splashes her with water, causing her to melt away due to a never-fully-explained allergy.
However, the musical, and by extension the new film series, offers a clever twist. In Wicked: For Good, Elphaba, who is indeed allergic to water, does not actually die. Instead, she brilliantly fakes her own death, creating the illusion of melting, before escaping from Oz with her love, Fiyero, who is in his Scarecrow form.
Early Acclaim for the Finale
Despite its official release today, early reviews for Wicked: For Good are already pouring in from film fanatics. The movie has achieved an impressive early score of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, signalling a powerful positive reception.
One enthusiastic viewer wrote, "It’s the second half to an already amazing first half. For me it was just as good and had some of my favourite songs from the original musical."
Another review highlighted Ariana Grande's performance, stating, "Ariana was incredible as Glinda; definitely taps the feels throughout the movie and has some deeply thoughtful provoking moments that truly connect the audience to the story. Those who typically aren't interested in musicals should consider giving it a watch."
Wicked: For Good is now showing in cinemas across the UK.
