This ’emotionally soaring’ sequel is ‘more captivating’ than the first film

Grande really captures her shining moment in this episode and makes the most of it. She was always ideal for the role, giving Glinda just the right amount of giggles and hair flips. Here, her story arc becomes stronger as Glinda becomes disappointed and disillusioned. As she sings the lyrics, “I can’t be any happier,” cracks begin to appear in her happy exterior. Erivo continues to portray Elphaba, who is justly determined to expose the wizard’s hoaxes but is hurt by her own vilification, but that arc is now more familiar.

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Chu sometimes sings close to Erivo and Grande’s faces, and those moments are the most effective. But there’s also a lot of crowded, lively choreography, sometimes too much. As Glinda ponders her life and sings “The Girl in the Bubble,” one of two new songs written for the film, Grande’s poignant delivery is almost overshadowed by the set design and movement as she wanders around her glittering home. And after a while, the film’s massive Broadway orchestration all starts to sound the same.

Elphaba’s sister, Nessarose (Marissa Bode), currently serves as the governor of Munchkinland. Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) plans to mess with the weather and make things worse for Elphaba. But none of the other characters, not even Fierro or Jeff Goldblum as the perfectly cast con-man Wizard, are second to star. Amid flying monkeys and spells gone awry, The Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion emerge, and the plot of The Wizard of Oz pops into For Good. Although Dorothy is only seen from behind or in silhouette, it is very funny to hear Elphaba refer to her as “that farm girl.”

Elphaba also says, “Goodbye, Nessa. I’m off to see the wizard.” There is no subtlety in this film’s vocabulary. There’s also no thematic depth, despite some feints in that direction. The false image that allows the Wizard to control Oz may seem like social commentary. Elphaba’s fight for animal rights may be similar. But they are just ideas, not substantial enough to be given any importance.

The film is essentially an ode to eternal friendship. At its heart, the witches are about to part ways again, nearing the end as Grande and Erivo sing For Good. The camera captures each of them facing each other, and of course eventually circles around them as they sing, “Since I knew you, I’ve changed forever.” This film is as smooth and glossy as Glinda’s lip gloss, which may also be what many fans want.