Angelino AF (Asian Flavor)

I’m not a movie critic, but—just like you—I can tell when a film resonates with me. And Wicked resonated deeply.

So why do I love Wicked?

Part 1 made me fall in love with Elphaba. Cynthia Erivo is incredible. I actually didn’t realize she could sing; I first saw her in Harriet, where she was phenomenal. In Wicked, though, she completely broke me—in the best way. I cried so much during the scene where Elphaba is finally accepted, not just by Glinda, but by everyone at the school dance. It made me think of my own life—growing up gay, afraid of being mocked or isolated. You learn to act tough just to survive. You pretend the cruelty doesn’t bother you, even when it does. And still, you keep going. It’s hard, but you keep living.

The movie also reflects how society—especially those with power—shapes the way people perceive others. When you’re powerless, you’re often forced to shrink, to take up as little space as possible, to accept that your worth won’t be recognized. And under that kind of pressure, you can lose sight of who you really are. Sometimes, even if you’re a good person, society pushes you into the role it expects: the outsider, the villain, the “wicked” one.

Because I loved the movie so much, I immediately bought the Elphaba Barbie, the book, and the digital version the moment it was released on Prime—just so I could watch it over and over again. Honestly, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen it.

We waited an entire year for Part 2, and yesterday, November 21, I finally watched it—Wicked: For Good. Like with most sequels, I knew it wouldn’t replicate the magic of Part 1, so I refused to compare them. I saw Part 2 as the redemption of Elphaba’s character and the sealing of her bond with Glinda. And as I’m writing this, I still tear up thinking about the scene where they face each other from opposite sides of a door, saying “I love you.” It reminded me of my best friend Jill. There’s something powerful about a friendship where, even without being related by blood, you feel connected like family. For me, that moment was the highlight of the whole movie.

I’ve seen people online saying they didn’t like Part 2—that it didn’t live up to the first, or that they expected Elphaba to show off more powers, like some kind of mutant. And I’m just sitting here thinking, “Hello? That’s not what Wicked is about.” It’s pretty clear some of them haven’t seen the musical—or any musical at all.

Elphaba wanted to be seen for who she really was — a good person, someone worthy of love and acceptance. Glinda, on the other hand, was already a star in her own right. She longed to feel important and to actually help others. At first, I didn’t really like her — she seemed like a rich girl used to getting everything she wanted. But Part 2 changed that for me. It deepened her character, made me understand her more, and I ended up loving her. That’s why I finally bought a Glinda Barbie — now she and Elphaba are inseparable in my collection.

And, of course, all the other characters are magnificent too — the Wizard, Madame Morrible, Fiyero, Nessarose, Boq … everyone brings something special. I’m actually re-watching the movie because my experience last night was ruined by a noisy couple sitting next to me. I want to really feel it again.

If you want to watch Wicked, I’d suggest going in without expecting flashy magical battles or superpowers. The movie is more about human experience — how we navigate life, how we form deep connections, how we crave to be seen, accepted, and loved… and how someone can change for good.