Date: Sunday, November 23 2025
Time: 10:15 am
Party: 2 (my mom & I)
Review
A year later, part two of this story is finally here.
My main concern had been avoiding spoilers and while I didn’t completely succeed (particularly in regards to members of the “Wizard of Oz” quartet), I went into this with the same anticipation I had at the end of part one.
This is going to be hard to review spoiler-free but I’ll do my best.
Part one was so fun and colorful and enthralling from start to finish. Definitely the kind of experience that demands to be seen on the big screen to be fully appreciated.
Part two was a decidedly different cinematic experience and I didn’t enjoy it quite as much. But while the songs weren’t as memorable and it wasn’t as fun or colorful, it succeeded in other ways. Most of which lay below the surface and may take a little extra thought to fully appreciate.
One obvious highlight visually was the tornado scene. Cinema has come a long way since “the wizard of Oz” and while that tornado was impressive for its time, the one in this movie… as incredible as it was to watch, the combined sense of wonder and dread I felt in the midst of it left the bigger impression.
Easily, the biggest draw of this movie for me was its characters. All of the main cast disappear into these roles so it’s not even a question about how good the acting is. My one little nitpick might just be Glinda’s two friends from Shiz University. Other than the one scene they share together, being her yes-people like always, they pop up in background periodically and are just sort of… there. They contribute nothing to the plot other than maybe being the colorful people in the background so they stand out in that respect.
As much as the wizard is a con man, the true villain really is Madame Morrible. Michelle Yeoh at peak level like always. But I can’t help but wonder why she doesn’t take charge and rule herself. Aside from Elphaba, nobody would be able to stand up to her powers. I suppose it’s probably just easier to hang in the background and maintain power through illusion and propaganda…
It does help to have Jeff Goldblum playing the wizard. Because despite his faults, it’s easy to buy into his con when you think about it. The people in Oz are used to living life a certain way so why rock the boat and ruin that sense of security for them? He makes a self aware jab at history being an illusion that can be manipulated. There’s always a good side and bad side but there’s more gray area than people want to admit. His only real fault is his treatment of animals. I can’t see any reason for doing that, keeping them enslaved and silent. If a reason was ever given, it escaped my notice.
Despite the lines being drawn between good and evil, the main cast are all tested as to whether they’ll settle for their current reality or risk it for those they love.
Prince Fiyero was my big question mark at the end of part one. He may have his royal title but he’d always danced through life to the beat of his own drum. Now he must choose between what is right and what is easy. While most of his character arc met my expectations, there were still some nice surprises along the way.
As for Glinda, her predicament reminded me of a scene from “Charlie Bartlett” where the vice principal (played by Robert Downey Jr. in one of his more underrated roles) informs him that popularity isn’t nearly as important as what you do with it. She’s thrust into the spotlight as a force for good to give Oz hope in these dark times and while it’s the kind of attention she’d always aspired to, her friendship with Elphaba makes her question whether it’s worth it.
Elphaba continues to advocate for the animals of Oz and tries her best to convince the citizens of Oz not to trust the Wizard. No matter what she tries, resistance meets her at every turn. Probably the best part of her story are those rare instances she does receive help and it’s from an unexpected source. “No Good Deed” is also a great number, one of the few standouts for me other than the big duet at the end.
The way this whole conflict affects her sister Nessa, who recently took her late father’s mantle of governor… there’s so much to unpack. As afraid as she is for people to think she’s like her sister, what she struggles with most is her absence. Feeling left behind. Admittedly their relationship had already been pretty complicated and no matter what she did, Elphaba was never able to do right by her.
This has some sad implications on her relationship with Boq. I forgot in the past year that he’d been in love with Glinda this whole time and she doesn’t take it well when he broadcasts it. This sort of thing happens in movies all the time but as much as we want to get revenge on the men we love because he want to leave you for someone else, especially someone you can’t compete with, how far would you be willing to go to change their minds? Or if it’s worth the effort and heartache when you’re better off waiting for someone who puts you first?
Like I said, I like how this movie makes you think about the characters and their actions and whether they’re right or wrong for doing so. Knowing what you know from what these actions lead to, would you do things differently if you were in their place?
One criticism this movie has is the way the Wizard of Oz storyline was wedged in… or forced, depending on who you ask.
I feel like it was handled well enough where you could splice in footage of the 1939 film into this one and it wouldn’t ruin the illusion too much. Although some of Glinda’s comments to Dorothy is clearly self parody (“it’s that one road the entire time”) and a tad insulting to the original’s legacy. We never see Dorothy’s face and get silhouette shots or those from a distance. Which is fair because this isn’t her story this time.
The true heart of the story really is between Glinda and Elphaba. The chemistry between the two actresses cannot be overstated. Despite them being on opposing sides, you can’t help but want both of them to find happiness and it’s equally devastating to be with them during their lowest moments.
Their big duet “For Good” is featured in all the marketing for this movie and while it’s not at the level of “Defying Gravity”, it gives you all the feels. My mom and I were both waterlogged by the end of it.
I’d commented previously on how I often cry at the end of musicals, even when it’s a happy ending. I held out until the very end before I let my emotions get the better of me and I’m glad I did. Yeah, it was still a tear jerker but I was just so happy to see how all the good characters got what they wanted and the bad guys got what they deserved.
We also get a nice bookend where one of the final scenes echoes the opening scene of part one… but wait, there’s a little bit more.
Grade- a solid B
Trailers
Also a quick comment about the audience… it was maybe a dozen people in there and it was a quiet reserved crowd. I’m sure it’s better than an audience singing so loud you can’t hear the movie but still…
Only a few trailers but the movie started almost 20 minutes after its start time.
SpongeBob: Search for the Square Pants
I mean, yeah, we grew up with SpongeBob. This looks stupid and ridiculous but I couldn’t help but laugh out loud of few times. I don’t think I’d seen the show in years, certainly not any of the post Stephen Hillenberg seasons.
David
This time of year, we tend to have one Christian or biblical movie in the trailers. This is David’s story, before he defeated Goliath and his life afterwards. Whether he tired of his crown in the actual story, I don’t know. I haven’t read it. But it’s an interesting thing to consider.
I also was excited for half a second hearing the song playing with the trailer because I thought it might be Colton Dixon. Someone I followed from American Idol and is a very successful Christian artist.
It wasn’t him… it would’ve been cool, though. Someone like him being featured in a movie a fair amount of people will see.
Reminders of Him
Considering the controversy surrounding “it ends with you” because of the Blake Lively lawsuits, it’s surprising this author got another film adaptation of their work.
This one is also a little unsettling with its plot. Apparently the woman lost the love of her life in a car accident but she was driving and had to serve jail time for his death. And because of that, she’s an outcast in society and no one will hire her. I suppose I’d have to see the movie to see why she was implicated. She didn’t seem drunk or high when she was driving so how was it her fault?
Super Mario Galaxy
We already saw the trailer online so this was nothing new. But my sister and I will definitely be seeing it next April.
My one hope is that Brie Larson nails her portrayal of Rosalina because she’s a major character in that game and some big shoes to fill.
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