Wicked: For Good Review

Credit - Universal Pictures

The first part of John Chu’s Wicked saga worked as well as fans of the iconic musical could hope and then some. In taking Wicked from stage to screen, Chu helmed one of the best films of 2024, and potentially a classic as it ages. He now returns nearly a year later with the second and likely final part, Wicked: For Good.

For Good picks up with a now-exiled Elphaba (Erivo) continuing her fight for equality and clearing her name while Glinda (Grande) deals with the good and bad of her new position as spokesperson for the Wizard. For Good has plenty of good in it. Yet, contrary to the lyrics sung by the great Howard Hewett in Shalamar’s “The Second Time Around”, it did not get better the second time around, but it’s still a solid watch.

The main culprit in the dropoff is the lack of what made the first film special – Erivo and Grande in tandem early and often. Both Erivo and Grande deliver fine performances on their own. However, it’s magical when the duo is onscreen together, and there isn’t enough of it to push For Good to the levels of the first film. Granted, their separation is a natural part of the Wicked story, but the social commentary used to fill the void/time doesn’t enhance For Good’s quality at all.

That void also ties itself into the next issue and bigger problem with For Good – maybe it shouldn’t exist. Between the point where the film reintroduces Elphaba and Glinda in their current states and the start of the third act, For Good has a lot it could have done without, specifically regurgitating themes and discourse it had previously addressed. Instead of a full-length film, For Good probably should have been an additional 30 minutes on Wicked, with some scenes cut to avoid an over 3-hour film.

Despite those glaring flaws, For Good is still a heck of a film, and that starts with its aesthetics. Like the first film, the set design, costumes, special effects, and hair and make-up are elite. A repeat of Oscar nominations in those categories would not be surprising at all (a Paul Tazwell vs. Ruth E. Carter for Sinners showdown in Best Costume Design is high on my wish list).  

The cast also doesn’t miss a beat in their return. Although I don’t see any Oscar love coming here, Erivo and Grande again give you your money’s worth. Grande stands out in particular as she knocked it out of the park in showing a more serious side to Glinda. Another standout performance was Marissa Bode as Nessarose. While the choice of villain or victim is up to you, the darker tone of For Good suits her well as she plays Nessarose with a bitterness that is sure to have you talking about her as the credits roll.

Yes, For Good falls wildly short of the excellence the first Wicked film accomplished. The charisma and chemistry from the film’s leads are largely absent. The depth that made the first film resonate with the audience is also nowhere to be found. Still, thanks to what it does visually and Erivo and Grande’s entertaining but not Oscar-caliber performances, For Good is definitely worth giving a chance.

There’s no need to catch this one in a premium format, but you’ll get a little bit of a spectacle with certain scenes if you pay the extra money for that ticket.