Disappointing Finale: First Impressions of “Wicked: Part Two”
The second installment of the film adaptation of the Broadway musical Wicked is,according to one reviewer,an “utter disaster.” While mirroring the musical’s division into two acts, the film struggles to deliver a satisfying conclusion to the story of Elphaba and Glinda.
The reviewer expresses significant disappointment with the second act, describing it as “fully empty, boring, confused, illogical and unnecessarily long.” They criticize its lack of a meaningful plot, noting that it “keeps stepping on the spot” and abandons promising motifs.The moral implications of the narrative are also questioned, specifically the banishment of the “evil” witch – who, the reviewer argues, was actually a savior – to a desolate wasteland reminiscent of Fallout. Furthermore, the musical numbers are deemed weaker in this second part.
The reviewer draws a parallel to the reception of Joker: Folie à Deux,calling the experience “painfully bad… awkward… illogical… stupid… failed.” They lament director Jon M. Chu’s departure from the potential of the first film, which they praised as a “magnificently acted musical fantasy.” The reviewer believes Chu should have deviated from the established ending of The Wizard of Oz and trusted the characters and world-building of the first film to lead to a more logical climax. They suggest the sequel missed an prospect to address relevant themes like fighting propaganda, defeating cults of personality, and coping with injustice – themes present in the first installment.
The second half of the film is especially criticized for its lack of narrative coherence and emotional impact. Character deaths are described as having “no impact,” and the story is said to “flow into the void” before being resolved with a rushed, “fairy-tale” ending. The reviewer also notes a decline in the musical aspects of the film,with a lack of choreography and large-scale musical numbers. Ultimately,the reviewer finds the film “empty and… completely useless,” questioning its purpose and expressing frustration.
A full review is expected in the coming days.