Wicked: For Good review – Oz saga conclusion will satisfy its extensive army of devotees

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A star rating of 4 out of 5.

As a huge fan, I was so excited to finally see the continuation of Wicked after loving the first part! Jon M Chu is really bringing this story to life – it’s amazing how much enthusiasm there is for this adaptation of the stage show. And that show itself is based on a fantastic novel and, of course, the classic Wizard of Oz! The first movie was a massive success, earning over $750 million worldwide and even getting ten Oscar nominations – and it won two! I can’t wait to see what happens next.

It’s likely Wicked: For Good will be just as successful, if not more so, with director Jon M. Chu delivering a powerful finale. Both he and the film’s stars bring incredible energy to every scene. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo shine as Glinda and Elphaba, the good and outcast witches of Oz, respectively. Jeff Goldblum is delightfully villainous as the Wizard, who orchestrates the events with a bit of a carnival barker’s flair.

Now living in hiding, Elphaba has been wrongly branded as evil by the Wizard, with help from her former teacher, Madame Morrible (played by Michelle Yeoh, who still has her iconic hairstyle). Meanwhile, the somewhat superficial Glinda believes they should be protecting the word “good” and is busy planning her wedding to Prince Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), who is tasked with finding and capturing Elphaba.

From the beginning, we see her skillfully flying on a broomstick, playfully interfering with the construction of the famous Yellow Brick Road – and this is just one nod to The Wizard of Oz. The musical, Wicked: For Good, is cleverly connected to the events of the 1939 film, including a memorable house falling from the sky.

Chu smartly avoids centering the story on Dorothy, Toto, or the familiar characters. Instead, he keeps them in the background, a thoughtful choice that honors Judy Garland’s legendary performance in the original film.

Schwartz has written some new songs for the show, including “No Place Like Home” and “The Girl in the Bubble.” However, they don’t significantly improve it. It also makes you question whether splitting the story into two movies was just a way to make more money, and what the experience would have been like if it had been told as a single film.

While Chu’s film is good, it doesn’t quite pack the same emotional punch as the last one, which is understandable since viewers already know what happens midway through the story.

The movie has some fun visuals, like the flying monkeys, but the special effects used on Jeff Goldblum and Maya Erskine aren’t always convincing – it’s almost comically bad. It’s also disappointing that Bowen Yang’s character, Pfannee, doesn’t appear as much as you might hope.

Even if there are some minor complaints, it’s easily overlooked when you have performers like Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande delivering such powerful vocals. Both were nominated for Oscars previously – Erivo for Best Actress and Grande for Best Supporting Actress – so it wouldn’t be surprising if Academy voters chose to recognize their talent this year. And honestly, both would be very deserving winners.

The story features heartwarming moments, like a funny argument, as Glinda grapples with her emotions regarding Elphaba. Elphaba’s dedication to protecting animals – who, along with the Munchkins, have been exiled from Oz – has driven her to live as an outcast.

Nathan Crowley’s vibrant and imaginative production design is a highlight, beautifully recreating the world of Oz. Just experiencing the film’s setting – from the colorful tulip fields to the dazzling fireworks – is a real joy. This movie is sure to please fans of the ‘Wicked’ story.

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2025-11-18 20:39