As one of the most highly-anticipated films of the year, Wicked: For Good has a lot of hype to live up to. With its release now under a month away, it seems that fans will be delighted if the first reactions are anything to go by.
The upcoming musical fantasy will continue the stories of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) following their emotional separation at the end of the first film, with Elphaba continuing to be cast as a villain in the magical world of Oz.
Directed by Jon M Chu once again, Wicked: For Good boasts a stacked supporting cast including Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh and Marissa Bode, with the film hoping to replicate the commercial and critical success of its predecessor.
While we'll have to wait to see how it performs at the box office, it seems that critics are once again wowed by the musical extravaganza, with the early reactions being incredibly positive thus far.
"Get ready because #WickedForGood exceeds all expectations," wrote Jazz Tangcay of Variety on X. "Jon M Chu is a genius in the way he brings this to a close. Elphaba and Glinda’s stories are expanded, and leave you with an emotional gut punch at the end."
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"Cynthia Erivo is magnificent, but get ready for Ariana Grande as she takes this performance to the next level," they continued as they described her role as a "tour de force".
"And wow, the world building, the costumes, and Alice Brooks cinematography deserve your attention. Can not wait to see it again. I sobbed hard. Wicked: For Good is sheer musical greatness."
Ada Enechi of BuzzFeed and Channel 4 was similarly full of praise as they posted on X, writing: "Embargo up? #WickedForGood delivers in every way possible. The new original songs…life changing!"
"They will melt your heart in ways you can’t even imagine. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande have cemented their places in history, this is truly an unmissable sequel," they continued.
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"#WickedForGood flies high. Jon M Chu helms an emotionally timely piece that deepens every spell cast by the first film. No surprise, Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande are SPECTACULAR (again)... A heartfelt end to Oz’s greatest friendship," wrote Variety's Clayton Davis.
Deadline also lauded the film earlier this month, writing: "Whatever spell Chu used, it worked because Wicked: For Good works for good on so many levels. Some might even argue that it's a tighter, more thrilling, more exciting film than Wicked."
Wicked: For Good is released in cinemas on 21 November.
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Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.
