Director: Jon M. Chu
Cast: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum
Rating: (PG)
★★+
REVIEWED BY THOMAS GREEN
Everyone who has watched Wicked remembers the showstopping climax of the first half, as Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) rebels against the phony wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum) and takes to the skies on her broom, belting out the showstopper Defying Gravity. It’s rather tragic then that Wicked: For Good (Rialto, Reading) can’t continue to defy gravity, but instead, defines it, losing all momentum as it adheres to the much-criticised second half of the Broadway musical.
The fragmented narrative struggles, jumping between Elphaba and her former best friend Glinda (Ariana Grande). While Elphaba, the now-exiled "wicked witch", fruitlessly tries convincing the Ozians that their beloved wizard is a con artist, Glinda finds herself thrust into the public spotlight, imploring optimism to no avail. Unfortunately, this second film isn’t interested in developing the fractured friendship between our leading ladies, despite their overwhelming chemistry. Instead, the film bludgeons itself with the unexpected arrival of Dorothy in Oz. Although rarely onscreen, the destructive nature of her mere presence is evident, as meaningful character moments are seemingly truncated in favour of shoving in clunky connections to Baum’s original novel. Jon M. Chu’s bland direction does little to remedy the distinct lack of memorable musical numbers.
Wicked fans will undoubtedly adore this, but others may find themselves mentally repeating that famous mantra: "There’s no place like home ..."
