Courtesy of © Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
The second installment of the film adaptation of the legendary Broadway musical Wicked takes us back to the magical world of Oz, continuing the story that was left unfinished at the end of the first part. What unfolds resembles a civil war within Oz, between the Wonderful Wizard and his followers — including Glinda (Ariana Grande) — and the oppressed Animals alongside Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and her companion Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), who seek to expose the Wizard’s deception and sinister plans.
Photo by Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures – © Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
To properly evaluate this film, we must remember that it is not a complete story, but rather the second half told as a standalone film, so audiences are not required to sit through a four-hour version of Wicked. This creative decision brings both strengths and weaknesses. One notable drawback is the reduced presence and performance of Ariana Grande as Glinda, who delivered an unexpectedly outstanding performance in the first film — even earning an Academy Award nomination. In this installment, Glinda appears subdued, constrained by the magical society of Oz and controlled by its expectations. This character development limits her standout moments and offers fewer opportunities for the comedic brilliance she displayed in the first part. Overall, Glinda feels significantly weaker here, which affects audience expectations and the overall experience.
Another shortcoming is that many of the musical’s iconic songs were already used in the first film. As a result, this installment lacks that powerful musical impact, relying instead on newly written songs created specifically for the movie — songs that, unfortunately, do not match the quality of the originals.
Photo by Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures – © Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Elphaba remains the emotional and narrative core of the film. In my view, this may stand as Cynthia Erivo’s defining role, as she loses none of her dramatic or vocal power. Quite simply, she is the strongest element of the film.
One of the film’s greatest strengths is its unexpected depth. Beneath the vibrant, colorful surface of this magical world lies darkness — from propaganda and oppression to systemic division and manipulation. These themes give the story an epic and compelling dimension. Additionally, we witness the moral transformations of several characters, shifting from good to evil and vice versa. The clearest examples are Fiyero’s transformation into the Scarecrow, Boq (Ethan Slater) becoming the Tin Man, and Nessarose (Marissa Bode), Elphaba’s sister, whose arc plays a crucial role in the narrative.
What makes the film even more fascinating is that its events unfold parallel to the iconic story of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. It is particularly compelling to see how Glinda and Elphaba interact with Dorothy, the young heroine of that timeless tale. Furthermore, the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) stands out as one of the film’s highlights.
Photo by Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures – © Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
In conclusion, while this film may be slightly weaker than its predecessor, it remains an enjoyable and emotionally layered experience — especially for viewers unfamiliar with Wicked, its stage history, or the original literary source material. For these reasons, I would rate the film:
8/10
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