The highly anticipated sequel to last year's record-breaking Wicked movie has finally landed in cinemas, but Wicked: For Good fails to soar to the same magical heights as its predecessor. While Ariana Grande delivers a performance that could very well earn her another Oscar nomination, the film as a whole falls notably short of expectations.
A Star Performance Overshadowed
Let's be perfectly clear from the outset: the shortcomings of Wicked: For Good are in no way the fault of its leading lady. Ariana Grande is positively radiant as Glinda the Good, commanding the screen with her incredible vocal prowess and surprisingly strong acting chops. With a greater share of the plot focused on her character, Grande seizes the opportunity to upstage everyone else, potentially positioning herself for another Academy Award nod.
The film, directed by Jon M. Chu, picks up some time after the events of the first movie. Cynthia Erivo's Elphaba is in exile, fulfilling her promise to make the Wizard of Oz, played by Jeff Goldblum, pay for his crimes against the realm's talking animals. Her attacks on Yellow Brick Road construction sites, however, make it easy for the Wizard to demonise her as the "Wicked Witch of the West" and consolidate his power.
A Forced Plot and Missing Magic
The central conflict revolves around the Wizard and his second-in-command, Madam Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), cynically using Glinda as a figurehead to drive a wedge between the former frenemies. This plan gains traction when Glinda's nuptials to the dashing Prince Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) are derailed by his admission that he has been secretly in love with Elphaba.
This love triangle, however, is a significant weak point. Despite Bailey's real-world status as People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive, his on-screen chemistry fails to convince, making the central romantic conflict feel unearned. It's difficult to believe Elphaba would justify destroying her best friend's life over a connection that lacks palpable spark.
Furthermore, the sequel suffers from a lack of showstopping musical numbers. The first act of the original stage musical contains the lion's share of the iconic songs, leaving For Good feeling somewhat bereft of memorable tunes. Where the first film was light, bright, and spectacular, this sequel often feels like a slog to its inevitable conclusion, hampered by the fact that Chu's visionary direction seemingly used all its wow factor the first time around.
Technical Brilliance and Final Verdict
It's not all disappointing. The film is a technical marvel, boasting jaw-droppingly stunning sets, costumes, and visual effects that will almost certainly see it well-represented in technical categories at the upcoming Academy Awards. The production value remains sky-high, even if the narrative magic has dimmed.
Ultimately, Wicked: For Good is a film of contrasts. It features a career-best performance from Ariana Grande set against a plot that fails to capture the thrillifying energy of the original. While fans of the cast and the franchise will still find elements to enjoy, the sequel proves that even in Oz, recapturing lightning in a bottle is a difficult spell to cast.
The film earns a respectable 3 out of 5 stars.
