Introduction:

Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked: For Good” has been dominating the box office and the cultural conversation since its Thanksgiving weekend release.

The films are adapted from the blockbuster Broadway show of the same name. “For Good” is specifically based on the musical’s second act, which follows Elphaba and Glinda after they discover that the Wizard of Oz’s magic is fraudulent.

Like any pop culture phenomenon, the “Wicked” films have inspired a broad range of opinions, both positive and negative.

The debate extends to The Tiger’s newsroom, where “The Wizard of Oz” spinoffs have polarized some of our writers.

In keeping up with the TimeOut section’s mission to keep Clemson up-to-date on the latest and greatest in pop culture, we’ve prepared two vastly diverging perspectives on “Wicked: For Good.”

One of our reviews lavishes the film with praise. The other could charitably be labeled as skeptical, but more precisely is a total dismissal of Chu’s movie.

We hope that our reviews, whether you agree with them or not, inspire you to see the movie and form your own opinions on a film that’s shaping up to be one of the most popular of the year.

Review:

Whether you are a Broadway fanatic or a movie lover, “Wicked: For Good” is a must-watch.

I saw “Wicked” on the main stage in New York City years ago and found myself extremely elated to see it on the big screen.

Jon M. Chu, the director of the two-part movie series, captures key focal points within the play while adding his own unique flair. The dimension, colorization and development of the narrative make for a captivating portrayal of different angles throughout the movie. Chu crafts two intertwining storylines between the two main characters of the musical, Elphaba and Glinda, while preserving the play’s important moments.

This story originates from “The Wizard of Oz,” a film known for its early adoption of Technicolor. In “Wicked,” modern technology advancements allow viewers to see a vibrant variety of colors and animated animals on-screen.

Viewers can see the creative adaptation of the original film’s famous characters, such as the scarecrow and the tin man. When you compare the original to now, it’s night and day.

In part two of the series, we see the two main characters thrive in their own spheres. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, who play Elphaba and Glinda respectively, both have Broadway experience, which plays to their strengths in the movie.

First, it is important to note the stylistic choices Grande made throughout the movie. Her tone and attitude were inspired by the actress who originally played Glinda on Broadway, Kristen Chenoweth.

Throughout the second movie, Glinda’s character shines with funny remarks. Some specific decisions come from Alli Mauzey, a former Glinda on Broadway. Specifically, during the fight scene, most might think that she’s going over the top, when in actuality, she plays this scene in a similar way to Mauzey.

Two-time Grammy winner Grande’s range in vocals proves to be a strength throughout the entirety of the movie. Her honoring of previous performers plays a key role in why she is sure to be a memorable Glinda.

On the other hand, Erivo is in a category of her own. In the first movie, her noticeable changes were seen in her vocal choices throughout the film. She utilizes riffs to make her stand out from the original Elphaba, Idina Menzel. However, riffs were popular with Jessica Vosk, a former Elphaba as well.

Erivo has made her mark on the role and continues to add different flares and styles to the Wicked Witch of the West that will be used for years to come.

With this being said, I do believe that Grande had a much stronger performance in the second half of this series. While Erivo does an excellent job portraying her character, she lacked chemistry with Jonathan Bailey, who plays Fiyero in the movies.

When the two sang “As Long As You’re Mine,” you should see yearning and intense chemistry, but it felt rushed and awkward at some points. This issue could be due to the direction they were given.

Grande was able to capture every emotion Glinda was supposed to in the second half of the movie, utilizing humor and heartbreak together to create a bigger picture.

All of the characters were given their rightful moments, which gives the audience a stronger understanding of the movie’s deeper meaning. Friendships run deep when you care about others, and political agendas can be torn down if people work together to put a stop to them.

This movie has it all, from characterization and imagery to a compelling overall plot — it’s a must-see.