Wicked: For Good

 And this week's Friday night movie has been... Wicked: For Good!

Original image located here. Accessed 28th November 2025

Well I said I will watch the follow up to the first movie so here we are. 

I have a strange relationship with the Wizard of Oz IP: Unlike a lot of other people, I never saw the 1939 movie as a kid. I did eventually see it when I was well into my adult years but for me, the Wizard of Oz that I saw when I was a kid, and the one which indeed resonated the most, was the anime series that was on TV at the time. 
Mind you, in the years since, the afore-mentioned movie has been elevated to that rare, and indeed enviable, position of an adaptation that has become the centre of that particular universe (see also: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, How to Train Your Dragon and Shrek). 

Given that this is an adaptation of a very successful musical I have to wonder: How much of the musical's success rests on the shoulders of Defying Gravity? Yes it's the best known song, yes even people who don't know Wicked are aware of it and yes it closes the first half, but given that song's renown does anyone really know what happens in the second half? More to the point, does anyone care?

And therein lies the problem: The first movie/half was enjoyable to the point that the second movie/half seems pale by comparison. Yes the visuals and art direction are pleasing, yes this movie has a lot more time to develop it's ideas when compared to the musical,  and yes the cast are giving their all but it all seems underwhelming when compared to the first half. I have been informed that it is the same case for the musical - and this adaptation DID go some way in addressing some of the weaker moments of said musical - but, as is often the case, not every adaptation can't escape the weaknesses of the source. Matters aren't helped with one getting the feeling that this movie seems so intent on taking an axe to the source material: Dorothy has a face that is hidden, and the backgrounds of her companions (Scarecrow, the Tin-Woodsman and the Cowardly Lion) seem ludicrous. 

Is that the fault of the book/musical as opposed to the movie? I will give it that but it still leaves a nasty taste in the mouth. And the same problem the musical faced still haunts the movie: Great first half, weak second half. Still they did try to overcome said problem so 'A' for effort... 

Wicked (part 1)

 Last night I went and saw Wicked.

Original image located here. Accessed 24th November 2024

Perhaps I shouldn't be surprised that a movie adaptation of the Wicked musical would be made. After all, said musical was a mammoth success and started this trend of 'retelling the narrative of villains' (it's doubtful Frozen would've existed without Wicked). Furthermore, the existence of the movie is helpful in that this narrative can reach those who can't afford the triple digit figure for the stage show.

There's not a lot can I fault with this movie: Sure it's the first half of a duology but what's there is impressive: The visuals are astonishing, the humour & the script is great and the cast all fit their roles well. Indeed, I am convinced that playing Glinda was Ariana Grande's life ambition. 

So yeah I was won over, in a manner akin to the many who went and saw the stage show.
So! When's the next one coming?