“Wicked for Good” is living proof of the claim that to keep the magic alive, great storytelling is as important as a star-studded bona fide cast and a skilled directorial and production team. The second installment of the “Wicked” franchise experience has landed in movie theaters near you, and the reviews are in. The box office so far has been an ally for the distributor Universal Pictures and Marc Platt Productions. During the first weekend, it grossed more than half of what “Wicked Part I” had grossed in its entirety. Chapter two of the saga performed strongly in both domestic and international markets. An up-and-coming head start in the earnings department for what it could be, the closing curtain for the book, turning musical, turning cinematic odyssey.
If the 2004 film’s Act I felt an honest portrayal of the book and the Broadway Musical, leaving the audience walking on a light cloud of uplifting, moving, and tear-jerking emotions that includes an impressive rendition of “No One Mourns The Wicked” by Ariana Grande, the wide audience perception of 2025 Act II “Wicked: for Good” is the antithesis of that, triggering in the spectators a weight down sentiment of darkness. The consensus of the moviegoers and seasoned film experts is that the movie musical’s second part did not feel true to the print version or the Playbill. The plot felt stretched too much, almost cartoonish, and cliché at times. The additions and changes in the screenplay did not add any value to the story and felt forced. The first time around, the cinema experience did capture the essence and the mysticism of the book, the stage version.
Although the cast and music composition did the work diligently, from gifted Cynthia Erivo to songbird Ariana Grande, from charismatic Jeff Goldblum to persuasive Michelle Yeoh, and from determined Marissa Bode. Everyone executed their roles to perfection, especially Jonathan Bailey’s emotional journey, piloting a script that was not in his favor, as well as Ethan Slater’s physical immersion (spoiler), and convincing portrayal of a Munchkin turned into a Thin Man. The formula did not live up to the expectations this time around due to the storyline being visibly stalled at times, too rushed at other times. The directorial team led by Jon. M. Chu and the screenwriters Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox, contrasting in creative visions, did not benefit from the final product and its shows.