Over the break, I went to see WICKED Part 2. Going in, I’d already heard a lot of controversial and contrasting reviews. Some claimed the second movie couldn’t hold a candle to its prequel, while others told me it was so much funnier and more emotional. After seeing it myself, I formed my own opinions, landing somewhere in the middle. Here’s my take:

So, WICKED Part 2 picks up a few years following the events of the first movie, expanding the stories of Elphaba and Glinda as Dorothy travels through Oz, and the political struggles in Oz. 

I would argue that visually the movie is a little subpar. Most of the time the sets were vividly colored and brought the story to life yet there were other moments like the yellow brick road which looked almost carpeted…

The music though – the crazy difference is hard to overlook. Coming from a person who went into WICKED blindly, I still recognized some of the hits from Part 1 such as “Popular” and “Defying Gravity.” Even the lesser-known songs like, “What is this Feeling?” were catchy and stuck. Whereas in Part 2, I felt the music was lacking that same memorable feeling. 

However, something that did stick out to me was the humor in Part 2. The sequel leans more into comedy with great jokes for all ages and perfect comedic timing, something that the first movie had but not to the same comedic level. The lighter moments helped balance the dark and scary underlying plot. 

One thing I wished for was a PG-13 rating. The story has enough conflict that I felt it could have gone a little deeper and been a bit more action packed. There are moments where you can see the movie holding back because of its young audience. 

Overall, WICKED Part 2 may not have had those same hit songs as Part 1 but it delivers enough of those emotion evoking moments, whether it’s a funny joke or a deep cut scene that make it worth the watch. Whether you loved or hated its predecessor, its sequel adds new layers to the story and provides a beautiful yet heart-breaking ending that gives its viewers closure. Despite all the juxtaposing opinions, I am glad I watched the film and recommend you do too.