Boy, it's a good week to be a musical fan, isn't it? Between Wicked for Good and the finale of Hasben Hotel coming out of season 2. So, yes, this is the follow-up to the smash hit Wicked, based on the Broadway musical, based on the book, based on another book. There's a lot of things it's based on. I have seen the Broadway show and I enjoy that. I like the first movie. I've never read the book, but I liked the musical and I like the movie.
I thought it made sense to turn it into two movies. Two scenes intrigued me—the defying gravity scene in the first film, and in this one, no good egos unpunished. They were executed well. Cynthia Reeva added her own take on the songs.
Overall, I liked it about as much as the first one. It has pros and cons. Some parts were improved, others still had issues. This film gets darker with big conflict songs and choices for characters. The pacing is uneven at first but picks up.
Arya Grande shines musically and dramatically. Cynthia Revo's performance felt off at first but improved throughout the movie. Some songs seemed unnecessary but are there for fans. As the film progresses, the story becomes more engaging.
The character of the wizard was portrayed by Jeff Goldblum. His final scene shifted my perception of his motivations. Some plot choices surprised me, adding layers to the storyline.
Visually, the movie offers more than the stage with film capabilities enhancing the narrative. However, it integrates original stage choreography creatively.
After reflection, I rate it three and a half out of four. While audiences unfamiliar with the stage version might have mixed reactions, fans should find it satisfying. Share your thoughts on how it compares to the stage show.