Wicked: For Good‘s rushed pacing feels like quite a whiplash from the slow burn of the first film that allowed its story to breathe much more, but it’s still a big, loud, and rewarding musical experience. The events are moving at such a fast pace that if you think about it too much, it starts to fall apart. The cinematography and editing don’t get that same patience that made the execution in the first movie so beautiful. The first act of For Good does feel a bit like its embracing the spectacle more than the soul, and if Part I felt more like its stage musical adaptation roots, this movie is the big fantasy action blockbuster. That said, it rises up to the challenge with truly great visual effects and breathtaking production design. The musical numbers are no less impressive, and the film’s heart is strong, and the chemistry between its two leads is electric.

Cynthia Erivo is again astounding and contributes to some of the film’s most awe-inspiring moments, while Ariana Grande is even better than she was in the first film. Glinda’s selfishness isn’t justified, but her softness and journey towards goodness make her so interesting to watch, even if it’s more thanks to Grande’s performance than where the script takes her. Jonathan Bailey also shines in one of the film’s most complex portrayals. There are some true show-stoppers in the soundtrack thanks to magnificent work from Erivo, Grande, and Jeff Goldblum. The music, vocals, and sets come together for some incredible musical moments that culminate the film’s emotion in great catharsis. It also very much enriches the story of the original Wizard of Oz in many creative and unexpected ways.

Wicked: For Good isn’t as subtle or as earth-shattering for the musical film genre as its predecessor, but the direction is still so lively and the spectacle is so, well, spectacular, that it’s an exciting and rewarding experience for film and theater fans alike. Together with the first film, it not only reignites but expands on and gives new life to a cultural moment like no other, and a trip to Oz that you have to see on a big screen.

Wicked tells the story of Oz in a new light, as we meet Elphaba and Glinda in their early years of sorcery, who eventually become the Wicked Witch and the Good Witch, respectively.

Few stage-to-musical adaptations in recent memory capture the excitement of being there with the actors on a production filled with song and dance like this one. Despite its title, Wicked is one big burst of joy, led by the spectacular Cynthia Erivo, who makes the material, and the mere art of musical theater itself, feel like they were made for her. Erivo’s enchanting voice is moving and never quite lets go of the audience, rather you’ll be begging for more of her songs. Ariana Grande plays into type well as Galdina, who starts of as quite the narcissist, but the characterizations of both her and Elphaba soon become more complicated in a way that feels genuine and touching. Michelle Yeoh is also wonderful, and Jonathan Bailey and Jeff Goldblum are delightful. But it’s not one element that makes the movie works: it’s the beautiful costumes and sets, put together with the music and story, brought to life by these talents. The songs might have not worked without the incredible musical numbers and dance sequences, but Jon M. Chu steps up to the responsibility of bringing out the best of this bombastic fantasy tale. It also deeply humanizes an infamous movie villain in a way that feels natural and oddly grounded, with themes that may connect with audiences.

As this is only the first part of the two-film adaptation of the musical, the pace dives deep into unexpected subplots, and though this approach threatens to deem the split unnecessary, it ends up fleshing out its world in a rewarding way, making the runtime worth it, and leaving audiences with much anticipation for the next film. Wicked is a cinematic experience with exciting musical numbers, an incredible leading performance from Erivo, and mesmerizing execution that’s a must for both fans and non-fans. It’s hard to believe there’s so much more to come, though where you’re left here in Elphaba and Glinda’s journey is still an astounding and gratifying moment.