It’s very rare that I am equally as enamored for a sequel as I am for a first installment. “Wicked: For Good” was one of those times. As a fan of the Broadway show, I knew how this story was going to end. I knew all the songs, and I knew where the characters’ lives were headed. I was nervous that it wouldn’t translate well to the screen, just as I was for the first movie, especially because of how much bigger the narrative gets in the second act. I was nervous that they would mess it up. However, I was beyond blown away by this enchanting film.  

Though we are not told exactly how long has passed between the two films, it seems to have been a while as everyone is out of school, and both protagonists have settled into their new ways of life. Compared to the first film, I think it starts out a little slow as it takes a moment for us to get into the first major musical number whereas in the first movie, it starts almost immediately.  

 
This rocky pacing was my only big issue with the film. It starts off a little slow then as the characters start to find their footing about halfway through, it starts moving really fast. I must give the writers some grace though, as they did what they could with act two’s material.  

Of course, most of the performances were fantastic, with few exceptions, and I was specifically impressed with the male leads this time around. Obviously, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo were magnificent, but if you know how the stage show goes, you know that Ethan Slater’s character Boq goes through quite the transformation, which affects him quite deeply. Slater went above and beyond what I expected, and he genuinely had me forgetting how dorky he acted in the first film.  

“As Long as You’re Mine” is one of my favorite tracks in the second act, and as big of a fan as I am of Jonathan Bailey, I was a little worried that he would have a hard time keeping up with a powerhouse like Cynthia Erivo. However, I was so wrong. He really stepped it up and made me an even bigger fan than I already was. He was incredible, whipping out one of the most beautiful opt-ups I have ever heard which left my jaw on the floor hours after I was lucky enough to witness it.  

I can’t talk about this film without mentioning that it sent me into a frenzy in the theater. I knew going in that I would be walking out devastated, but I don’t think I have ever sobbed quite that hard in a public space before. If you are planning on seeing this movie, bring tissues.