Am I changed for good? I think so!

First and foremost: “Wicked For Good” is *not* a sequel. It’s a second act. If you expect sequel style one-upmanship, you’re not going to get it here and that’s completely by design. This film is a continuation of the spectacle we were all treated to just one year ago. This actually may be one of the most anticipated films of all time, in my opinion.

The story picks up exactly where the first film left off and provides us with a bit more context about what’s been happening behind the scenes as the story builds to Dorothy’s inevitable visit. If you’ve seen “Wizard Of Oz” (and who hasn’t) you already know what happens to Elphaba. But, how we get to that point is pure magic. “Wicked For Good” introduces creative exposition in and around Dorothy’s well-known escapade that put the events leading up to the demise of the Wicked Witch of the West in a completely new light.

You see, I’ve never ever seen the stage musical. I know, I know. And believe it or not, I managed to avoid ALL SPOILERS ahead of seeing this second part of the story. It’s a miracle. I had fun over the last year rewatching the original and trying to piece together what I thought was going to happen. I’m a bit proud of myself because I figured out almost everything – but that’s not to say I wasn’t pleasantly surprised by how it all actually played out. Is it macabre to say it almost felt like a murder-mystery to me? At it’s core, that’s kind of what “Wicked” is… we all know what’s going to happen — and we think we know how — but then, we’re told we only know the half of it.

I’m not saying this just because she was our headliner at WorldPride in DC last summer, but Cynthia Erivo deserves all the awards and accolades for her performance in this Part 2 of “Wicked.” The delicate emotion and conviction with which she brings Elphaba to life is unmatched by anyone acting today. There is just no one else who could have played this role with such truth.

Ariana Grande also brings an enormous amount of maturity and nuance to her role as Glinda. It’s a side of Ariana we simply haven’t seen before. It’s no wonder these two women have become such fast friends. As seen recently at a press-tour for the film in Singapore, Cynthia will go to the mats for Ariana. They are truly the best of friends and the emotional connection they made from this film shows through every frame.

Jonathan Bailey continues to shine and surprise as Fiyero, as delightful as ever though showing more backhone than he did in the first half. Same for Marissa Bode’s Nessarose. We see a new side of her character that was simmering just below the surface in Part 1. Ethan Slater’s Boq is back as well, this time as Nessarose’s disenchanted companion.

Jeff Goldblum’s Wizard finally gets his due in this film and you’re left wondering if he’s really the bad guy in all of this, or if that title belongs to Michelle Yeoh’s Madame Morrible. If you are working on context clues like I was for the past year, it’s not too difficult to figure out – but even then, I found myself surprised at the twists and turns.

It’s important to note here, that I very much thought Part 1 was the more enjoyable between the two…but I’m hearing that’s not necessarily an uncommon opinion. The songs are catchier, the mood is lighter, the spectacle slightly larger. This second half is darker with songs that can, at times, feel like a slog to get through. That’s not to take away from the performances of the cast – those remain spectacular. It just makes me wish that composer Steven Schwartz let the second act cook a little longer.

The show-stopper this time is, of course, the title’s namesake “For Good.” I was in tears throughout that sequence knowing that our time with these characters in this magical world were coming to an end. Remember, I’ve lived with the first part in my head since the first film’s release… with eager anticipation to see how the story ends. All the anticipation in the world still couldn’t have prepared me to say goodbye.

It’s surely going to be the biggest money maker ever for a Broadway adaptation, and I hope that it becomes a springboard for more Cynthia Erivo starring vehicles. She not only steals the spotlight – she DESERVES the spotlight. These cinematic lightning-in-a-bottle moments don’t happen very often. “Wicked Part 1” and “Wicked For Good” will continue to outlive us all, just as “Wizard Of Oz” continues to do to this day. Both these new films and the Oz classic belong in conversation together, for good.