Wicked:For Good

[Globules]

I'm going to say it.

I preferred For Good to Part 1.

I thought it was darker and pacier.

My friend still prefers the first film.

We really enjoyed watching it tonight, but concluded watching the two back to back that they really should have just been one film.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.

Just my two penn'orth:

1. Madame Morrible is the true villain of the piece here - Michelle Yeoh even suggested in interviews that she's the "real wicked witch" as MM spells WW upside down. She's power-crazed and is using the Wizard to get what she wants. There is some suggestion that Oz was previously a more peaceful and democratic place governed equally between animals and humans. The character of MM does not feature in The Wizard of Oz, even though that film eventually reveals the Wizard to be a charlatan from our world with no real magical powers, unlike MM. But he does have great charisma and the ability to influence people, which - in this story - MM seizes upon and takes advantage of.
2. Fiyero isn't happy about the marriage and you can see his discomfort, but he is kind of railroaded into it. All the time he is trying to work out a way to make Elphaba safe while ostensibly being head of the "Gale Force" - the unit formed with the main object of destroying her. The relationships here are very complex with the friendship between Elphaba and Glinda being very deep-rooted and ultimately of the "sisters before misters" kind. Glinda finds it in herself to forgive her friend (she's "good", after all!)
3. Elphaba does have qualms but is trapped and probably feels that her days are numbered. Also, see above.
4. There is a hushed conversation between Fiyero and Glinda during the engagement scene when we find out their plan to rescue Elphaba, and Fiyero is clearly irritated by Glinda's apparent inaction and her willingness to go along with MM's and the Wizard's plans. Elphaba would have understood that Fiyero has been forced to go along with the engagement and in any case has reconciled herself to the (mistaken) notion that he prefers Glinda ("I'm not that girl" from the first film, ironically reprised by Gljnda in the second film).
5. The slippers were always silver, even in the original Wizard of Oz book. They became ruby red for the 1939 film to show off the new colour film technology (remember how only the Oz scenes were in colour and the real world was shown in black and white). There is also some suggestion that MGM held the copyright to the notion of the "ruby slippers". The shoes appear to glow red during the scene between Elphaba and Nessarose, in both this film and the stage play, presumably as a nod to the 1939 film.

Agreed @TheFifthTellytubby I didn't have time earlier to type that depth of response.

@Pepperedpickles you're allowed your opinion. You're wrong though! 🤣

I went to a a prescreen on Wednesday and was really disappointed! It felt forced - and quite juvenile, which I know is weird given they’ve all grown since part 1. I would have left after 20 minutes had it not been a private event I was invited to, and I haven’t walked out of a movie ever!

Even my 14 year old asked when they effectively became Pick Me girls.
I found it badly thought through and disappointing for women.

I think it works better when you remember the scarecrow doesn't have a brain, personally. He was a mix of cowardly, heartless and thoughtless through it as a character so maybe there was more to read into that.

I think I will have to agree to disagree that sleeping with the same guy in the same day means they are soul sisters.

Both films are too long. It ruined my enjoyment of them to be honest.
Just make one film - NO longer than 2 hours.

Wasn't there also a moment in the first film, when Glinda was trying to give Elphaba a makeover, where she lifted up a pair of ruby shoes from her shoe rack (think they were pumps). I guess that was also a nod to the ruby slippers without putting them on Nessa's feet.

@cordelia16 Yes, that is correct - sparkly red shoes in a sea of pink!

Never seen the show, hate the thought of two parters, didnt know the plot… MUCH preferred part 2. Stuff happened!

thank you!

I loved both films.
2 was more dramatic but 1 set out the relationship and gave the necessary background. I am not sure one can fully be enjoyed without the other

There was so much padding out to fill the length of a film. The new songs didn’t have the same vibe and I couldn’t stand to see Ariana Grande’s chin jutting out so much. Yes she can sing but love calm down!

I wasn't feeling particularly enthusiastic, having seen the musical 3 times on the West End aand having found the first film a bit of a 7/10. However it moved along nicely (if a bit slowly) and I surprised myself with big fat tears rolling down my cheeks when Elphaba shut the cupboard door.

I'm really on the fence about Ariana and Cynthia. They are great to actually watch but have been so infuriatingly weird, both about starring in this film and each other, through both press tours.

Ugh the first movie was dreadful - no desire to see the second! Glad it’s better, but it would be hard to be worse!
I have seen the stage show and enjoyed that.

I'm really on the fence about Ariana and Cynthia.

Me too @TidyCyan I'm not sure why. Ariana particularly. She seems to have turned into a characature of Glinda in real life.

I feel she might be a bit lost after this. I think it was a year to film both parts starting in 2022 and then it's been a couple of years of red carpets etc.
She's in the next Meet the Fockers which is a total switch of tone and doesn't require floaty fairy affectations in interviews!
We've probably still got more to come for the Oscars though.

Felt it was mediocre, didn't care for any of the characters or if any of them died, teen dc say I'm too old for new films!

The start was as shaky as the 1st film imo, the childhood flashbacks did nothing for me and I'm not keen on the animal characters. But then it got really good! I did have to try to suppress a snigger at the ridiculously hammy melting scene because a few people around me were crying a little and I have no idea how Glinda could have defeated Madame Morrible so easily, but all in all it was a really enjoyable film.

I’ve just come back from seeing it and preferred the first film. I thought the songs in part two weren’t as good as the songs in the first film and I felt that the story didn’t flow as much as the first film. Outstanding performances though from the cast.

I went then the same evening watched Godfather II, it really highlighted what a dreadful film Wicked II was, I just can't believe the drivel people get excited about for me one of the only good thing was Jonathan Bailey who is very easy on the eye.

I loved both parts. Enjoyed it more than the stage show.

I preferred the 1st one, as there’s more humor and the story feels fuller. The 2nd, if I’m honest, went on a bit, and seemed quite padded out. Some of the songs went on a way past the point we thought they would stop too! The fight was stupid but overall I thought Ariana was really good.

I finally saw Wicked 2 yesterday. Totally agree it would have been much better as one film. (Like Harry Potter 7). Splitting it into two is just a money grab for the film makers.
It was mostly well done (in film 1 it really annoyed me that Cynthia was too old for student Elphaba but it was OK this time as she's meant to be older).

I love Jonathan Bailey but Fiyero in part 2 was a bit of a thankless role for him. I didn't see any chemistry between Fiyero and Elphaba in the shagging scene.

My DD2 was unimpressed by the "pick me" nature of the Fiyero/Elphaba/Glinda relationship. She was sad at the end when Glinda was alone though. She also wanted to know, since Madame Morrible was a powerful witch, what was to stop her from using her magic to break out of jail.

Loved the music and costumes though, and enjoyed Jeff Goldblum.