Chu's sequel fills every gap and answers every question, often explaining origins that drain the story's mystery and magic. The film adaptation stretches Wicked into a two-part, 300-minute franchise that feels overstuffed and uninspiring. The stage musical's Act One delivers memorable songs, playful storytelling and theatrical marvel; Act Two works too hard to wrap plotlines and becomes serious and repetitive. The first Wicked film was a major pop-culture and box-office success, having used the funniest gags, brightest tunes and biggest set pieces. The sequel struggles to recapture fresh energy and instead repeats the stage show's tendency to over-explain.
"Ever wondered how those magical Ozians built their yellow brick road? Well, now you don't have to. Overstuffed and uninspiring, Chu's sequel fills in every gap and answers every question - even the ones you never asked. Viewers beware: in this part of the Wicked story, everyone gets an origins tale and there isn't a single mystery that can't be solved, over-explained and ­entirely drained of its magic. I worried that might happen."
"A prequel and a sequel to The Wizard of Oz, Wicked has always relied on other stories for support but the first half is a genuine theatrical marvel. The songs are instantly memorable, the jokes are hilarious, and there is both a playfulness and purpose to the storytelling. The second act, on the other hand, works a little too hard to wrap everything up."
Read at Irish Independent
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]