Good is bad and bad is good as all the world is a stage. A stage richly based on merely the dangers and rewards of perceptions. “It’s not lying, it’s looking at things another way.” says Elphaba to Fiyero. The line could very well be the tagline of the film. A line for the whole basis of the film. The movie is a whole angle and approach for not only the musical to which it is adapted from but also the source material of the fame book by Frank L. Baum. Perception is the driving theme. The film tells us that perception can not only change viewpoints but whole selves. An added increment is a showcasing a wild entanglement of all the characters never dreamed of before. The land of Oz has always a dreamlike surreal land, and most infamously, an American dreamlike land where bigotry, class, and prejudices exist to make others feel safe. 

The action is amped and the speed increased as there isn’t a need for world building and exposition. The result is a pleasant whirlwind of drama and action that might surpass the first. 

The set decoration and production design are beyond excellent here again demanding attention that at times that exceeds the story. Dashes of light comedy are placed at the right time, and a strong display of love story provides some measured depth to something that could be maintained at the surface level.  The stress of the story is still  the duality of Galinda and Elphaba. Now both at the stage where they both are no longer naive and ignorant and full of endearment and disdainment of each other.  A classic love/hate drive that is centered that each is jealous of some talent that the other doesn’t have. 

It is a solid film with strong performances and showing the world it is. The addition of a side story that runs parallel is played at the right degree.  The film has a great direction with reveals that are quite surprising and others that are what you expect. The weakest spot is the editing. At times cuts don’t quite make sense and are very jagged when you need a smooth ride.  The subplots also seem unrewarding, and even underwhelming when in the first had great fulfillment.  Wicked for Good makes it count when it needs to. What I appreciate most of it is its emphasis to be regarded as something refreshed and a new to mythos. It is bold that way. The film provides a needed darker and dreaded feel that was always with the story. Wicked For Good won’t surpass “The Wizard of Oz” and it won’t have to. It just shows that changing views doesn’t ever change the core of the story which is to believe in yourself before others  7.5/10