Dashing themed costumes and snapped moments at the Wicked: For Good premiere at Anga Cinemas (Diamond Plaza 2) showed that Kenyans still crave cinema, culture, and exciting stories on the big screen.
Elphaba and Glinda reigned supreme from the foyer to the hall, but did they keep the Wicked flames burning once the film rolled like the first one? Wicked: For Good continues the story of the two protagonists as Elphaba fights to free the animals in Oz from the cruelty of humans propagated by the Wizard, and Glinda, who continues to be groomed by the Wizard, lives a lie as ‘Glinda the Good’.
The film heightens the music, boosting the wonder and tension in every line just like the first part. Elphaba’s exile shows how the hate directed at her influences her choices, a part of the film I appreciate, but not enough to justify the quick scenes of her sudden turn to evil. These and other story inconsistencies place the sequel as a close second to the original. The rushed story undermines the character development from the first film.
As the heart of the story, the duo’s friendship again has much to be admired, thanks to Cynthia Erivo’s and Ariana Grande’s performances.
To boost cinema culture, Anga Cinemas (Diamond Plaza 2) shows it can be done—Kenyans can truly flock to the movies. Watch Wicked: For Good, now playing at Anga Cinemas (Diamond Plaza 2).
