Plot

Wicked: For Good serves as the final chapter in Jon M. Chu’s two-part cinematic adaptation of the iconic Broadway musical. The story follows Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) as their intertwined journeys reach their climax amid political unrest, propaganda, betrayal, and the collapse of Oz’s carefully constructed façade. While the film attempts to bring emotional closure to their friendship and the mysteries surrounding the Wizard, its execution often feels weighed down by its own ambition.

Overview

The film is visually breathtaking but emotionally inconsistent. While the production scale is massive—lush sets, elaborate costumes, soaring aerial shots, and dazzling IMAX 3D visuals—the storytelling falters under a slow-paced and overly heavy screenplay. The tonal shift towards politics and grim themes leaves the film darker than expected, creating an uneven final chapter that doesn’t fully capture the emotional magic fans hoped for.

Performances

Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba)

• Fierce, vulnerable, and the emotional backbone of the film.
• Her powerhouse vocals elevate every moment.
• Even when the writing stumbles, she delivers raw, affecting emotion.

Ariana Grande (Glinda)

• A soft, fragile, deeply expressive Glinda.
• Shines in subtle acting beats and musical sequences.
• Provides warmth and grace despite limited narrative depth.

Supporting Cast

• Jeff Goldblum is charmingly sly as the Wizard.
• Michelle Yeoh adds sophistication as Madame Morrible.
• Jonathan Bailey brings heartfelt warmth as Fiyero.
• Ethan Slater and Marissa Bode make the most of their brief roles.

However, the script doesn’t give the supporting cast enough emotional space to shine.

Technical Aspects

Visuals & Production Design

• Undeniably the strongest element.
• Oz looks stunning—vibrant, layered, and immersive.
• Costumes, sets, and colour palettes are rich and meticulously crafted.
• IMAX 3D dramatically enhances depth, scale, and spectacle.

Cinematography

• Every frame is painterly, offering grandeur and atmospheric artistry.
• Visuals often outshine narrative substance.

Music

• Cynthia Erivo’s solos are showstoppers—powerful, soaring, emotionally charged.
• Ariana Grande delivers delicate, beautifully controlled vocal performances.
• New songs and reprises lack impact and sometimes feel like filler.
• The soundtrack doesn’t consistently hit the emotional highs expected from a Wicked finale.

Editing

• Major pacing issues.
• First half is indulgently slow, overstaying scenes and songs.
• Second half finally builds momentum but arrives too late.
• Some scenes feel rushed, others unnecessarily prolonged.

Positives

• Spectacular visuals and world-building
• Outstanding performances by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande
• Immersive IMAX 3D experience
• Strong emotional moments delivered through music
• High production value across sets, costumes, and cinematography

Negatives

• Sluggish, uneven pacing
• Emotionally distant screenplay
• Heavy, grim tone with minimal humour or warmth
• Supporting characters underdeveloped
• Musical numbers sometimes feel forced rather than organic
• Final emotional payoff feels muted

Analysis

Wwicked: For Good is a film that tries to be monumental—and visually, it succeeds. But cinema is ultimately about emotion. Despite its grandeur, the film’s narrative weight, slow pacing, and tonal imbalance hold it back from achieving the heartfelt climax fans had anticipated.

The darker political themes overshadow the friendship-driven soul of Wicked. The emotional truth exists mostly in Erivo and Grande’s performances but the screenplay doesn’t give it space to breathe. This finale closes the story, but it doesn’t leave you with the sense of magic, catharsis, or uplift that Wicked has always promised.

Bottomline: Visually Grand, Emotionally Hollow

Rating: 2.5 / 5