By Viviana Morales

After almost a year of waiting, “Wicked: For Good” finally hit theaters and has already broken records, earning the highest-grossing opening weekend ever for a Broadway musical adaptation. With Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, the film arrives with a devoted fanbase and massive expectations.


Director Jon M. Chu made a bold choice early in development by splitting the adaptation into two films. He argued that one movie couldn’t capture the emotional scale of the musical or the depth of Gregory Maguire’s original novel, stating that if the musical was condensed into one short film, the narrative and emotional impact would be lessened. The result is a Part One that focuses on character relationships and world-building.


Rather than retelling the entire plot, “Wicked: For Good” focuses on the political tensions in Oz. The film highlights themes of power, public perception, and loneliness. Fans of the stage show recognize iconic moments, but the film keeps newcomers to the story interested.


Chu continued his lavish world-building in part two with vibrant sets, staging, and carefully designed magical details that honored the original and created something new. One standout sequence was the elaborate wedding sequence dripping with flowers and colors, echoing a similar scene from Chu’s “Crazy Rich Asians.”


Erivo brings a raw, emotional intensity to Elphaba, making the film realistic eve in its most fantastical moments. Grande’s Glinda blends comedy and charm with a surprising nuance. Their chemistry is one of the film’s strongest elements. Michelle Yeoh (Madam Morrible) and Jeff Goldblum (The Wizard) added their own flair without overshadowing Eviro and Grande in their acting and singing.


Both Stephen Schwartz and John Powell were, once again, able to create an astonishing soundtrack. Some numbers land as beautifully as the first film’s songs such as “No Good Deed,” which has the emotional punch we love in “Defying Gravity.” Other songs didn’t hit with that same force, however, leaving some of the film feeling like a disappointment. Compared to the first movie, most of the songs didn’t have the lasting impact that most of the first soundtrack did.


If the film falters anywhere though, it’s in its pacing. Although the world-building is immersive, the final act feels rushed. Certain dramatic moments don’t get the space they need to fully resonate with audiences. There seemed to be a feeling of urgency, which was a complete opposite compared to the first film, where the directors were praised for its pacing.


Although the first “Wicked” adaptation was a complement to the broadway musical, “Wicked: For Good,” seemed to be lacking when it came to the soundtrack and pacing of the film. On the other hand the film was stunning and an emotional rollercoaster, with Jon M. Chu’s iconic cinematography and the performances from the actors as a whole.