Wicked: For Good Disappoints With Weak Direction and Sluggish Second Half
Movie fans and investors are watching the performance of Wicked: For Good with great interest. This sequel to the popular Wicked film continues the story of Elphaba and Glinda in the land of Oz. The film features major stars like Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. Director Jon M Chu returns to helm this second installment. However, early reviews suggest the film struggles to maintain quality throughout its runtime.
Story Setup and Character Development
The story picks up five years after the first film. Elphaba Thropp, now known as the Wicked Witch of the West, continues fighting for animal rights. She works to save animals from exploitation throughout Oz. Meanwhile, Glinda has been given an important role by the Wizard of Oz and Madame Morrible. Her assignment is to spread positivity while the administration spreads lies about Elphaba wanting to destroy Oz.
Fiyero, now Captain of the Gale Force, faces a difficult situation. He has been ordered to hunt down Elphaba while secretly remaining sympathetic to her cause. The political complexity deepens as Elphaba’s sister becomes governor of Munchkinland. She must make harsh decisions against her own sister to maintain appearances. These layered relationships create the foundation for the film’s drama.
Direction and Pacing Problems
Jon M Chu’s direction receives mixed reviews for this sequel. The beginning portions of the film are captivating and well-executed. The director makes smart political commentary that mirrors real-world issues. The film shows how fake news spreads for vested interests. It demonstrates how governments remind citizens of external enemies to maintain control. These elements work effectively in the first half.
However, the film encounters significant problems after the intermission. The transition between time periods feels sudden and confusing. Viewers are not clearly informed that five years have passed since the first film. This makes character progressions seem abrupt and unexplained. The tornado scene particularly stands out as poorly executed with logical gaps in the storytelling.
Performance Strengths and Musical Elements
The cast delivers strong performances despite the film’s structural issues. Cynthia Erivo brings depth to Elphaba, especially in emotional scenes. Ariana Grande’s portrayal of Glinda provides charm and warmth. Their chemistry helps make the weaker second half more bearable for audiences. Supporting actors including Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Yeoh add quality to the production.
The musical elements present both strengths and weaknesses. The songs themselves are well-composed and performed. However, their placement often interrupts the narrative flow. Some musical numbers unnecessarily extend the film’s runtime without advancing the story. The background score by John Powell and Stephen Schwartz receives better reviews than the song placements.
Technical Excellence and Production Values
The film excels in several technical areas despite its narrative problems. Alice Brooks’s cinematography creates a visually stunning Oz. The visual effects complement the photography with high-quality execution. Nathan Crowley’s production design brings richness to the world. Paul Tazewell’s costume design adds regal elegance to the characters. These elements demonstrate the production’s substantial budget and resources.
Editing emerges as a technical weakness that compounds the direction problems. The pacing suffers from inconsistent editing choices. Scenes transition awkwardly and the overall flow feels disrupted. Tighter editing could have improved the film’s impact significantly. This technical shortcoming affects the overall viewer experience.
Box Office Prospects and Market Impact
The film faces uncertain commercial prospects in different markets. In its home market, the strong brand recognition should drive initial attendance. However, the mixed reviews may affect long-term performance. In markets like India, where familiarity with the Wicked universe is lower, the film faces greater challenges. The combination of narrative weaknesses and limited brand awareness may restrict its international appeal.
For investors, the film represents a cautionary tale about sequel production. Even with strong source material and talented casts, execution remains crucial. The direction and editing choices significantly impact the final product’s quality and commercial potential. These factors will determine whether the film recovers its substantial production budget and marketing costs.
The final verdict suggests Wicked: For Good represents a missed opportunity. Strong performances and technical excellence cannot overcome fundamental direction and pacing issues. The film serves as an important case study for entertainment investors about the critical importance of consistent execution throughout a film’s entire runtime.
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