Wicked Part II had a lot to live up to after the first film’s dazzling, if overlong, spectacle… but unfortunately, it stumbles where it matters most.
While Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande still deliver powerful performances (and a couple of standout songs), the story feels bloated, predictable, and oddly juvenile.
The “twist” about the Wizard’s paternity is telegraphed from miles away, and the film’s insistence on over-explaining every character’s motivation makes it feel like it’s talking down to the audience – even my 11-year-old rolled her eyes at the heavy-handedness.
Jon M. Chu’s direction retains the visual flair, but the magic wears thin as the plot meanders through Oz’s political drama. The emotional payoff, which should have been devastating, lands with a thud, and the pacing drags worse than the first film.
It’s a shame, because the cast is clearly giving it their all, but the script lets them down. The only real bright spots are the musical numbers, which remind you why this story worked so well on stage.
5.5/10: A disappointing finale that feels more like a chore than a triumph.
