Quick Read
- Jeff Goldblum’s performance as the Wizard provides comic relief and depth to ‘Wicked: For Good’.
- The film’s split structure and darker tone divide critics, but Erivo and Grande’s star power remains strong.
- Political allegory and visual design are prominent, with Goldblum’s Wizard reflecting contemporary anxieties.
- The sequel wraps up the narrative from the first film, overlapping with the classic ‘Wizard of Oz’ story.
- Director Jon M. Chu’s choices and Oscar-winning design team create a visually striking but narratively rushed experience.
Jeff Goldblum’s Wizard: Comic Relief in a Turbulent Oz
When the curtain rises on Wicked: For Good, audiences return to a Land of Oz transformed. The sequel to Jon M. Chu’s blockbuster adaptation of the beloved musical picks up the story in medias res—Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), branded as the Wicked Witch, is now an outlaw, and Glinda (Ariana Grande) has become the public face of the Wizard’s increasingly autocratic regime. Yet, amid the epic struggle between good and evil, it’s Jeff Goldblum’s Wizard who quietly steals the show, injecting much-needed levity into a world that’s grown darker and more politically charged.
Goldblum’s take on the Wizard is anything but one-dimensional. While the character orchestrates authoritarian policies—most memorably, a tongue-in-cheek Munchkin Travel Ban—he is portrayed not as a cold-hearted despot but as a slightly befuddled, almost pitiable figure. Goldblum’s performance walks a tightrope, balancing comic obsequiousness with the weight of a man who realizes he’s lost control of his own narrative. His rendition of the jazzy number “Wonderful,” performed alongside a naively hopeful Glinda, stands out as a frothy oasis in a film otherwise preoccupied with oppression and resistance (iNews).
Plot Overload and Political Allegory
“Wicked: For Good” is nothing if not packed with incident. The film barrels through its 138-minute runtime like the second act of a Broadway musical, cramming in origin stories for familiar faces like the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion. The action overlaps with the events of the original Wizard of Oz, offering clever (if sometimes strained) narrative connections and a parade of new perspectives on the classic tale (WBUR News).
Where the first installment focused on the fizzing friendship between Elphaba and Glinda—punctuated by showstoppers like “Defying Gravity”—this sequel dials up the political allegory. The yellow brick road is under construction with animal slave labor, and Glinda’s transformation from shallow student to unwitting regime spokesperson draws pointed parallels to contemporary politics. The film’s message is unambiguous: authoritarianism thrives on spectacle, and truth often loses out to the stories people want to believe. Goldblum’s Wizard articulates this chilling insight, reminding Elphaba that exposing his fraud will not change minds—narrative, not fact, is king.
Star Power and Directorial Choices
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande continue to deliver powerhouse performances. Erivo’s Elphaba is a portrait of anguish and defiance, while Grande’s Glinda, now separated from her best friend, struggles with the moral cost of complicity. Their central duet, “For Good,” remains a highlight, brimming with charisma and tenderness. Jonathan Bailey’s Fiyero, more passionate and daring in this sequel, adds another layer of complexity to the tangled relationships (iNews).
Director Jon M. Chu’s visual choices are both praised and critiqued. His staging of musical numbers invites the camera to participate, not just observe, as seen in Glinda’s mirror-filled late-movie sequence. However, the soft pastel aesthetic leaves some viewers longing for the crisp, vibrant Technicolor of the original Wizard of Oz (WBUR News). The Oscar-winning costume and production design team—Paul Tazewell and Nathan Crowley—again dazzle, with kaleidoscopic sets and costumes that pop against the muted palette.
Split Structure: A Creative or Corporate Decision?
The decision to divide Wicked into two films remains controversial. While some claim it preserves character development, others argue the second film feels bloated and lacks emotional authenticity. The year-long gap between releases interrupted the narrative arc, leaving audiences with a story that is all falling action and little catharsis (Film Authority). Longtime fans may appreciate the exhaustive detail and callbacks, but casual viewers might find themselves adrift in a sea of plot points with few anchors.
The split also means characters aren’t reintroduced and key story elements aren’t reiterated, expecting audiences to recall details from the previous Thanksgiving. As one reviewer points out, “There’s a reason Broadway intermissions aren’t a year long.” The structure, for some, feels like the product of corporate calculation rather than creative necessity.
Goldblum on the Role: ‘Noble, Uplifting, Delicious’
Off-screen, Goldblum has embraced his role with characteristic enthusiasm. In an interview with BroadwayWorld, he praised director Jon M. Chu’s vision, calling the film “noble, uplifting, and delicious.” He highlighted the chemistry with co-stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, and expressed hope that the film’s themes would resonate in troubled times. Goldblum’s Wizard is not just comic relief but a mirror to contemporary anxieties about leadership, truth, and public trust.
The Verdict: Entertaining, If Not Enchanting
“Wicked: For Good” arrives as a visually dazzling, narratively ambitious sequel that doesn’t quite recapture the magic of its predecessor. The plot-heavy structure and darker tone may alienate some viewers, but the film remains a showcase for its cast and a testament to the enduring appeal of Oz. Goldblum’s Wizard, in particular, stands out as a performance that bridges whimsy and wisdom, offering laughter in a world of uncertainty.
For fans of the stage show and the first film, this is a satisfying conclusion to a story that has captivated audiences for decades. For others, the experience may feel more like the end of an epic than the beginning of a new journey. Either way, Goldblum’s turn ensures that, even as the curtain falls, the magic lingers.
Goldblum’s nuanced portrayal of the Wizard not only lightens the film’s darker undertones but underscores the power of narrative in shaping public perception. His performance is the bridge between spectacle and substance, making ‘Wicked: For Good’ a sequel worth watching—even if only for the moments when humor, heart, and history collide.