The latest installment in Warner Bros.'s lucrative "Wicked" franchise, "Wicked: For Good," has underwhelmed audiences with its poorly paced and muddled storytelling. Despite being split into two parts to extend the release period and maximize profits, the sequel fails to capture the same magic as its predecessor, instead succumbing to the pitfalls of franchise filmmaking greed.
The decision to separate the final film in the "Harry Potter" series into two movies, released eight months apart, was seen as a way to expand the screen adaptation and bring more time with beloved characters. Similarly, the split for "Wicked: For Good" may have been intended to give the story more depth and surprise journeys, but it has ultimately led to a film that is rotten with the stench of voracious greed.
The two-part release allows less detail from the 784-page novel to be spared, resulting in an overly bloated product. The film's pacing is glacially slow, making it a horrible lit slog that lacks the dynamism of its predecessor. New songs like "No Place Like Home" and "The Girl in the Bubble" fail to impress, with lyrics that confuse more than they entertain.
The decision to split the franchise into two parts means that millions of dollars will be sacrificed in favor of making a commercially viable product rather than creating a genuinely good one that could dominate the box office for a single holiday season. The momentum of "Wicked" has crashed down with "Wicked: For Good," leaving audiences feeling empty and unfulfilled.
The film's production is emblematic of the pitfalls of franchise filmmaking, where profit margins are prioritized over artistic integrity. Despite the respectable performances from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, the two leads are constantly undone by the messy film swirling around them. The "Wizard of Oz" tie-ins at every turn only serve to further dilute the story's potential.
Ultimately, "Wicked: For Good" exists in a state of desperation, with the studio more interested in maximizing profits than creating a genuinely good product. As such, it serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of franchise filmmaking greed and the importance of prioritizing artistic integrity over commercial success.
The decision to separate the final film in the "Harry Potter" series into two movies, released eight months apart, was seen as a way to expand the screen adaptation and bring more time with beloved characters. Similarly, the split for "Wicked: For Good" may have been intended to give the story more depth and surprise journeys, but it has ultimately led to a film that is rotten with the stench of voracious greed.
The two-part release allows less detail from the 784-page novel to be spared, resulting in an overly bloated product. The film's pacing is glacially slow, making it a horrible lit slog that lacks the dynamism of its predecessor. New songs like "No Place Like Home" and "The Girl in the Bubble" fail to impress, with lyrics that confuse more than they entertain.
The decision to split the franchise into two parts means that millions of dollars will be sacrificed in favor of making a commercially viable product rather than creating a genuinely good one that could dominate the box office for a single holiday season. The momentum of "Wicked" has crashed down with "Wicked: For Good," leaving audiences feeling empty and unfulfilled.
The film's production is emblematic of the pitfalls of franchise filmmaking, where profit margins are prioritized over artistic integrity. Despite the respectable performances from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, the two leads are constantly undone by the messy film swirling around them. The "Wizard of Oz" tie-ins at every turn only serve to further dilute the story's potential.
Ultimately, "Wicked: For Good" exists in a state of desperation, with the studio more interested in maximizing profits than creating a genuinely good product. As such, it serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of franchise filmmaking greed and the importance of prioritizing artistic integrity over commercial success.
. Like, what's next? Splitting Harry Potter into three movies or something?! It just feels like they're more concerned with milking the cash cow than actually telling a good story. I mean, "Wicked: For Good" is a total snooze fest – it's all over the place and the pacing is slower than a grandma's walk 
. And don't even get me started on those new songs... they're like something my 8-year-old niece would write for her school talent show 
. The studio is just so focused on making bank that they've lost sight of what makes a movie worth watching in the first place – it's not about throwing money at it, it's about telling a story that resonates with people 
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. I mean, think about it, they're splitting the book into two movies, that's already got me thinking it's just gonna be some cash-grab fest 
. And don't even get me started on the songs, "No Place Like Home" and "The Girl in the Bubble"? More like "No Place to Call My Own" or "A Bubble of Disappointment" 
. It's all about lining those pockets, not making a movie that actually means something 
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. But as a fan of the original, it's hard not to feel like they're selling out and sacrificing artistic integrity for the sake of profit 
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it feels like they took all the magic out of wickeds story and replaced it with boring filler 
cynthia erivo and ariana grande are talented, but even their acting can't save this messy film from its own hype 
the decision to split the movie into two parts is so not necessary, it just makes the pacing super slow and meh 
i get that studios want to make more money, but can't they focus on making a good product instead of just chasing profits? 
anyway, i guess this is a warning sign for all the fans out there - be careful if you're looking forward to a new "wicked" installment 
. Two parts was supposed to be better but honestly felt like they were trying to milk us for more cash 
. Studio is all about making that dough and sacrificing artistry in the process 
. Anyways, if you want to see what not to do when it comes to franchise filmmaking, watch this 