The highly anticipated sequel to USC alum Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of the stage musical “Wicked” was released Friday, and it is just as action-packed as the first. The second and final chapter of Elphaba and Glinda’s story is the biggest PG pre-seller and the highest-grossing opening for a Broadway musical adaptation ever. Chu is known for his over-the-top productions, and his film seems to have had a proportional response from moviegoers.

Overall, “Wicked: For Good” is a whirlwind of emotions and an epic spectacle. Some performances hit the mark of melodrama, while others aren’t able to push themselves far enough.

Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba, before her standout performance later in the film in “No Good Deed,” delivers one expression with concerned, furrowed eyebrows nearly the entire runtime.

Her clear confidence in her stunning vocals allows her to break through in “No Good Deed,” showcasing both the full range of her voice as well as her acting skills. While “Defying Gravity” was the anthem of the first film, “No Good Deed” blows it out of the water. Elphaba finally being driven to embrace her wicked mantle is far more complex and interesting to watch.

Her vocals in “As Long as You’re Mine” blend beautifully with Jonathan Bailey’s Fiyero. However, the energy of the characters does not mix well on screen.

Though Bailey proved his dance prowess in “Dancing Through Life” during the first film — in which he had more chemistry with Ariana Grande’s Glinda than he did with Erivo throughout the entirety of this more intimate song — there is an utter lack of intentional movement from him in “Wicked: For Good.”

Other than his creepily coming up behind Elphaba and her shuddering, the lack of romantic body language does not create any illusion of love.

This song also featured the most out-of-place costume design in the film, as Elphaba dons a ratty gray knit cardigan and throws her hair up into a messy bun. A departure from the highly detailed fantastical period fashion of the munchkins and the elegant coats and top hats of the Emerald City, the modern clothing item disrupts the world-building that had been impenetrable up until that point.

Bronwyn James as ShenShen and Bowen Yang as Pfannee are absolutely hilarious; it’s a shame they are only onscreen for two minutes total. But no one, not even a “Saturday Night Live” cast member, can compare to Grande’s comedic timing. Particularly, when Elphaba surprises her as she is saying farewell to a basement-bound Nessarose and she gasps, “Oh Shizz!”

Grande is not only on point comedically, but also vocally and emotionally, portraying Glinda’s character arc from helpless political puppet to radicalized vigilante. Her delivery is a convincing argument for her inevitable Oscar nomination.

The two stylish leaders of the Emerald City, the Wizard and Madame Morrible, are given their moments to shine as well. Jeff Goldblum’s Wizard is wonderful in “Wonderful,” but his character leaves off on an uncharacteristically earnest note.

Michelle Yeoh’s singing, on the other hand, does not live up to the standards of her powerhouse costars. The Oscar-winning actress also falls flat at her own craft. Madame Morrible’s relentless quest to spread propaganda against Elphaba serves a vital role in driving the stakes that spur the narrative, but Yeoh’s half-hearted screams wouldn’t convince a halfwit munchkin to believe her.

Chu never allows the audience to rest in one place for long: the camera constantly flies around the characters as if on a broomstick itself, making for a truly engaging viewing experience.

“Wicked: For Good” makes frequent use of the mirror as a visual metaphor for self-reflection, for better or for worse. A shot of a character looking forlornly at themselves is present in nearly every scene, which feels more like being hit over the head with the motif than a clever, subtle employment of symbolism. Luckily, the campy acting performances save these weaker directorial moments.

In terms of new music, “No Place Like Home” and “The Girl in the Bubble” serve to explain questions about the beloved main characters’ motivations. However, the lyrics are far too literal, and the melodies don’t build toward any satisfying emotional conclusions.

“For Good” shows that much like their characters, Grande and Erivo are much better together. The raw emotion and chemistry between the two as they said “I love you” for the first and last time are palpable.

The split screen as Elphaba closes the door on Glinda and both weep with the realization that they will never see each other again is the true climax of the film. The separation is genuinely painful to watch in a good way. Elphaba’s death, being shot from Glinda’s point of view, as she held a hand to her mouth to keep herself from screaming, is heart-wrenching.

As much as the film was able to resolve with its classic conclusion, it is ultimately unsatisfying that Elphaba and Glinda are eternally separated. The ending leaves more to be desired, as it is clear on screen that Elphaba loves Glinda far more than she ever loved Fieryo.

Cleverly, Chu doesn’t allow the film to end on that note. He brings the viewer back to a flashback of Glinda and Elphaba at Shizz, as Glinda whispers into her ear, a nod to the playbill that theater kids the world-round longed to possess.

“Wicked: For Good” is a triumph of John M. Chu’s directorial vision. It’s a shame that there won’t be another film next year, but at least now fans have the opportunity to watch the entire musical with the ultimate five-hour movie marathon.