Wicked: For Good reviews come out - is it as good as the first film starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo?
Cinemas across the UK will soon be packed with fans and musical lovers as the second Wicked film is released.
The embargo has been lifted on reviews for Wicked: For Good, the sequel to the critically-acclaimed first film starring Ariana Grande (Glinda) and Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba).
Following the initial outing, the second movie is a continuation of Elphaba’s origin story, culminating in her becoming the Wicked Witch of the West - as is her role in the Wizard of Oz.
That tale was first a book, written by L. Frank Baum and published in 1900 as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Two years later, it was adapted into a Broadway musical, and later a movie in 1939.
These films, directed by Jon M Chu, are a spin-off based on a 1995 book by Gregory Maguire - drawing inspiration from the stage musical. Also starring in the film are the likes of Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey and Michelle Yeoh.
But early reviews of Wicked: For Good seem to have left critics divided, with some praising the performances of the all-star cast, while others have critiqued the padded run-time of the 138-minute film.
Writing for Games Radar, Molly Edwards said: “A darker and sadder part two brings the story of Oz's witches to a moving close and cements Jon M Chu's adaptation of Wicked as an absolute triumph.
“Part two is far less afraid to remix its source material than part one, which is massively to the film's benefit.”
Kevin Maher from the Times added: “The makers of this musical sequel have delivered a film that surpasses last year's box-office smash in verve, ambition and emotional ache.”
But the film’s extended run-time apparently leaves a bit to be desired, as Bob Mondello from NPR said: “They just can't make this prequel-sequel feel any less dutiful or by the numbers - rehashing bits of the 1939 movie classic, shoehorning in animals who no longer talk, when all you really want is that song that gives Wicked: For Good its title.
“After way too long, the song arrives - powerhouse voices singing about friendship and doing good when good is hard. And for fans, that might make the long, five-hour, two-movie trek feel worth it. Not for me.”
The Telegraph’s Robbie Collin added: “It doesn't amount to two hours of story - the stage show clips through the same plot in around half the time - and the padding is as obvious as it is exhausting.”