The world of Oz shines brighter than earlier than in Wicked: For Good. This musical sequel, impressed by Gregory Maguire’s beloved novel, picks up proper after the dramatic finale of the primary instalment, Wicked, bringing again the magic, music, and characters that followers love. The film is now exhibiting in Ster-Kinekor cinemas, following its South African premiere final Sunday.
The second the display screen lit up, I used to be blown away. From the very first scene, the film had the viewers singing alongside, laughing, and gasping.
Some scenes had been predictable, however that didn’t take something away from the expertise. What struck me was how every second unfolded. Even once I sensed what was coming, the movie delivered it with such aptitude, emotion, and energy that I nonetheless discovered myself leaning ahead, rapt, and drawn in. The transitions had been magical. Each scene felt prefer it was ushered in on a wave of music, with the songs appearing as emotional cues that deepened the affect as an alternative of merely adorning it.
Director Jon M. Chu, alongside writers Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox, delivers a cinematic expertise that balances grandeur and intimacy. Ariana Grande returns as Glinda, radiant and highly effective, whereas Cynthia Erivo reprises her function as Elphaba, fierce and passionate. Their chemistry is electrical, rivalry and friendship intertwining in a dance of loyalty, fact, and energy. Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Bowen Yang, and Ethan Slater spherical out a forged that brings depth and allure to Oz.
Chu’s imaginative and prescient contrasts two worlds: Glinda’s Emerald City sparkles with fame, affect, and glamour, whereas Elphaba navigates the shadows, risking every little thing to disclose the reality concerning the Wizard. The duality, mild and darkness, phantasm and justice, is on the coronary heart of the movie, giving it visible and emotional resonance. Moments like Glinda’s heartfelt line, “I’ve had so many friends, but only one that mattered,” remind me that beneath the magic lies a narrative about loyalty, braveness, and the ability of true friendship.
Musically, the movie soars. Every tune pulls you deeper into Oz, every scene buzzes with vitality. The world feels alive and vivid, making it unattainable to look away. Watching Wicked: For Good is like stepping again into your teenage years, the fun, the thrill, the sheer pleasure of being swept up in a narrative greater than your self.
This sequel reimagines the beloved characters from L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, bringing spectacle and emotion to the display screen. The unique Wicked wowed audiences final yr with ten Academy Award nominations and wins for costume and manufacturing design, and the sequel continues that legacy with equal aptitude.
It is an unforgettable return. From the opening flourish to the ultimate bow, this manufacturing proves a traditional story can nonetheless ship a robust, trendy spectacle on massive screens.
*Angelique Mogotlane is content material supervisor of Gadget.co.za, World Wide Worx. Follow her on Bluesky on @angelique31.bsky.social.