A Wickedly Mixed Review of ‘Wicked: For Good’

Last year, the world held space for “Wicked,” the hit Broadway musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, as it finally made its way to the big screen. The film enraptured audiences with its moving story and catchy musical numbers, sweeping watchers into the wonderful world of Oz. Director Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked” movies are a magical mixed bag, with the good often overshadowing the wicked. “Wicked” was the fifth-highest-grossing film of 2024 and earned a score of 95% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Chu had quite the task when adapting the beloved musical, making the bold decision to split its two acts into two separate films instead of squeezing both into one. Chu’s sequel, “Wicked: For Good,” has a darker, more emotional tone compared to its predecessor, “Wicked.” The themes of the first film — prejudice and nature vs. nurture — are much more amplified in the second film, all leading to an epic conclusion.

Spoilers ahead

The film begins with the construction of the infamous Yellow Brick Road, as if laying the foundations for the story. Though the brick is laid evenly, the same can’t be said for the story’s pacing.

At times, it feels like “Wicked: For Good” is simply going through the motions, jumping from one plot point to the next without much thought. This leads to the film feeling rushed at points and leaves important moments without the emphasis needed for them to fully hit home.

Okay, the pacing can feel wonky at times, but what about the songs? Well, it’s a mixed bag. There are 11 songs on the soundtrack, but not all are “Wonderful.” The film adds two new songs that weren’t in the original Broadway version: “No Place Like Home” and “The Girl in the Bubble.”

“No Place Like Home,” performed by Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), isn’t a bad song, but it doesn’t feel particularly needed for the story. While its title provides a callback to the 1939 “The Wizard Of Oz,” there is nothing else notable about this song.

Glinda’s (Ariana Grande) new song, “The Girl in the Bubble,” also isn’t good nor needed. We, as an audience, can already understand all that Glinda may feel without it. The lyrics for this song just feel questionable and a bit juvenile: “For the girl in the bubble / the pink shiny bubble / it’s time for her bubble to pop.” Not only that, but “The Girl in the Bubble” halts the momentum of another song. “March of the Witch Hunters” precedes the new addition, where the anger and energy is suddenly interrupted for a slow, self-reflective ballad for Glinda.

Thank goodness, not all the songs fall flat. Such as “Wonderful” Chu strengthens the song by adding Glinda to the number alongside the Wizard… making it more upbeat and helping explain why Elphaba is so easily duped by the Wizard.

Other standout musical moments include “No Good Deed,” “March of The Witch Hunters,” “As Long As You’re Mine” and, of course ‘“For Good.” All of these songs are rich with gripping character moments and passion.

Speaking of characters, everyone here does their job … for the most part. But each answer the question: Are people born wicked, or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?

Our four witches — Elphaba, Glinda, Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) and Nessarose (Marissa Bode) — all show how wickedness can corrupt people.

Erivo’s characterization of Elphaba shines as it feels like she’s fully matured into her role of the Wicked Witch of the West. Grande’s acting as Glinda shows a compelling character journey of self-discovery and resilience, discovering what being good means for her. Bode’s Nessarose transforms into a terrifying lovesick tyrant, and Yeoh plays a scary Madame Morrible, showing exactly why her name rhymes with horrible. Though Yeoh’s acting is top notch, her singing leaves much to be desired.

The side characters all show us the consequences of wickedness with their character arcs, undergoing disruption in some way that changes their outlook.

Jonathan Bailey’s Fiyero goes from carefree prince to a double agent wrestling between his feelings for Elphaba and his duty to Oz, all for him to be turned into the Scarecrow. Ethan Slater plays a surprisingly good Boq, with his transformation into the Tin Man being terrifying. Though we don’t get to see the bodily horror of his transformation, the anger coming from his character is enough to feel it.

The wonderful Wizard of Oz is played by the talented Jeff Goldblum. Goldblum’s Wizard, while not a standout, is satisfying enough. He plays the role of an awkward trickster carny well enough to leave audiences satisfied with his hilarious comedic moments. Thank all of Oz for that.

Dorothy however, feels underutilized, as well as not being given much screen time. She is also faceless throughout the entire film, just as she is in the original Broadway version, but it does make Dorothy feel flat compared to other richly complex characters.

The film ends with a beautiful shot of Elphaba and Glinda recreating the original Broadway Playbill cover as the sun shines behind them.

While “Wicked: For Good” has its shortcomings, it is nowhere near a bad film. The costumes are beautiful, and Erivo’s and Grande’s chemistry is as electric as it is captivating.