“Wicked: For Good Delivers a Gorgeous Finale Burdened by Its Two-Part Stretch”

Director Jon M. Chu brings fans back to Oz for “Wicked: For Good,” a sequel to last year’s megahit that adapted the classic Broadway play, from Universal Pictures.  Winnie Holzman and Gregory Maguire also return to pen the screenplay.

Some years after the events of the first film, Elphaba the Wicked Witch of the West (Cynthia Erivo), who now fully embraces her title, has retreated into the woods, perpetually plotting against the Wizard’s scheme.  Glinda (Ariana Grande), on the other hand, is now perceived as almost angelic and has to live up to expectations she never sought.

Their paths remain intertwined, even as politics, fear, and public opinion try to force them apart. This intense emotional center is one of the film’s biggest strengths, keeping the second chapter grounded. The visual beauty on display is undeniable.

Jon M. Chu delivers a sumptuous visual feast, even richer than Part I. The greens of Oz glow with a gemstone sheen, Glinda’s pastel world shimmers like spun sugar, and every corner of the frame hums with thoughtful design.

Chu allows his camera to drift, soar, and embrace spectacle without losing sight of the intimacy between characters. The flying monkey effects, mystical creatures, and ornate palatial interiors are rendered with conviction, creating a lavish world that feels grand yet lived-in. Even during moments when the plot slows down, the film remains visually spectacular.

At the heart of it all is the dynamic between Glinda and Elphaba. Grande adds a fragile sensitivity to Glinda – sincere, naïve, and privately longing beneath her bubblegum sparkle. Erivo is her match in a powerful, soulful performance that grounds the movie. 

Together, they make their scenes sizzle with a grounded mix of love, frustration, and loyalty. When the script focuses on their shared history rather than the mythology surrounding them, the film finds its strongest emotional footing.

The supporting performances add texture to the story: Michelle Yeoh moves through her scenes with restrained menace, while Jeff Goldblum—true to form—manages to be playful and unsettling at once. These actors understand their roles, bringing flair without veering into parody.

However, the pacing issues are hard to ignore. At 2 hours and 18 minutes, the film occasionally feels like it wanders. Certain scenes appear padded to justify the two-part structure, and some callbacks to Oz lore—while clever—do not land with the impact they aim for. Although the musical moments are performed beautifully, they do not reach the high-water marks of the original stage production or the standout moments of Part I.

Yet despite its excesses, ““Wicked: For Good,”” concludes the story with warmth, spectacle, and heart. It respects its characters, honors the source material, and gives its audience an emotional resolution worthy of the journey.

While “Wicked” may not have needed to be divided into two films, it still provides enough magic to justify the journey.

Final Grade: B

“Wicked:For Good” opens in theaters tomorrow.