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.”โ While mirroring the musical’s division into two acts, the โfilm struggles to deliver a satisfying โconclusion to the storyโฃ of Elphaba and Glinda.
The โreviewer expresses significant disappointment with the second act, describing it as “fully empty, boring,โ confused, illogical and unnecessarily long.” They criticize its lack of a meaningful โฃplot, 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 – โฃwho, the reviewer argues, was actually a savior – to a desolate wastelandโ reminiscent โคof Fallout. Furthermore, the musical numbers are deemed weaker in this โsecond part.
The reviewer draws a parallel toโ the reception โof Joker: Folie ร Deux,calling the experienceโ “painfully badโฆ awkwardโฆ illogicalโฆ stupidโฆ failed.” They lament director Jon M. Chu’s departure from the potential of the firstโ film, which they praised as a “magnificently acted musical fantasy.” The reviewer believes Chu shouldโ 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 โa more logical climax. They suggest โขthe sequel โขmissed 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 โคare described as having “no impact,” and theโ storyโฃ 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 andโฆ completely useless,” questioning its purpose and expressing frustration.
A full review is expected in the coming days.