Fellow Ozians, if you’re reading this, you’ve probably just walked out of the theater, and if you’re anything like me, you are a complete and total emotional wreck. I’m currently sitting here somewhere between "I couldn't be happier" and a puddle of tears on the floor.
The "intermission" between Part One and Part Two felt like a lifetime, didn't it? But seeing the second act finally brought to life on the big screen... wow. Director Jon M. Chu didn't just give us a sequel; he gave us a love letter to every version of this story we’ve ever held dear. From the 1939 classic to Gregory Maguire’s gritty novel, the layers in this film are stunning.
Personal Rating: 8/10. (Losing points only because my heart is physically broken, and I don't know how to move on with my life).
Here’s everything I noticed while I was trying to see through my mascara-streaked eyes.
1. That Nostalgic Punch to the Gut
Did anyone else gasp at the opening logo? Seeing the vintage Universal logo from the 1930s immediately transported me back to the 1939 Victor Fleming film. It was such a meta-textual "welcome home" to the Oz we grew up with. And if you look closely at the globe—there’s a tiny tornado forming. It’s a reminder that in this world, the storm isn't just weather; it's destiny.
2. The Weight of Time
The movie actually gives us a timeline: "12 tides turned." Seeing the aging on characters like the Cowardly Lion and the massive scale of the anti-Elphaba propaganda really hits home. It’s been long enough for Glinda to become a forced icon and for Elphaba to become a ghost story. It’s heavy, seeing how much they’ve lost in that "year" apart.
3. Lore for the Real Nerds (The Skarks!)
For my fellow book-lovers: did you see those yak-like creatures hauling bricks for the Wizard's guards? I’m 99% sure those are Skarks from Gregory Maguire’s original novel. They’re barely described in the text, but seeing them used as beasts of burden here is a massive, tragic win for the lore. It highlights the central horror of Act Two: the systematic silencing of Animals.
4. Elphaba’s "Undone" Aesthetic
My heart broke for Elphaba just looking at her clothes. She’s still in the same tunic from the first film, but it’s frayed and distressed. Her hair—those tight micro-braids from Part One—is starting to unravel and thicken. She’s literally coming undone under the pressure of being a fugitive, but she’s also becoming her most wild, natural self.
Pro-tip: Keep an eye on the "Hair Flip." Both women use it throughout the movie to reclaim their power in moments where they feel the most vulnerable. It’s such a beautiful, subtle connection between them.
5. The "WizMart" Tragedy
There’s a detail that absolutely wrecked me. In Part One, we saw Elphaba looking at a pop-up book of the Wizard with genuine wonder. In this film, we see a pop-up book for sale at the "WizMart," but now she’s the monster inside, terrorizing children. She went from admiring the hero to being the villain in the same style of storybook. I’m not okay.
6. The Absolute Horror of the Tin Man
This sequence felt like a gothic horror movie. When Boq transforms, it isn’t just "magic"—it’s terrifying. You can see a silver platter and tea set literally melting into his limbs to form the exoskeleton.
If you look at his wrists and chest, the "M" monogram and the patterns from his Munchkin uniform are etched into the metal. He is forever trapped in a machine that reminds him of the life he lost. It’s gruesome and perfect.
7. Glinda: The Girl in the Bubble
Glinda’s entrance is pure spectacle, but the music tells the real story. The guards aren’t just chanting—they’re chanting the melody of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture (a war anthem) synced to "Popular." It’s the film’s way of saying Glinda is the smiling face of a military regime.
And her wand? It’s designed to look like a bubble bursting. She’s constantly framed in circles and mirrors, a reminder that she’s trapped in a beautiful, lonely cage of her own making.
8. "For Good" – The Soul of the Film
I was a sobbing mess by the time this song started. The lyrics are so intentional:
Glinda compares herself to things altered by gravity (comets, streams). She was on a fixed path until Elphaba crashed into her.
Elphaba compares herself to things set free (ships, seeds).
But the real kicker? In the final harmony, Glinda takes the lower note. She’s always wanted the spotlight, but here, she grounds the moment. She’s supporting her friend. It shows she’s finally grown up.
9. That Final Mystery
The movie ends with a recreate of the iconic Broadway poster—Glinda whispering to Elphaba. We’ll never know what she said, and honestly? I love that. It keeps their friendship sacred. It’s a secret that belongs only to them.
Final Thoughts: This movie felt like a shared experience. It honored the stage show but dared to go deeper into the darkness and the love that makes Oz what it is. I’m going to go cry for another three hours, but before I do...
What was the moment that broke you? Did you catch any other Easter eggs? Let’s talk about it, because I can't process this alone! 💚💗
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