Title: Wicked: For Good
Describe This Movie In One Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas Quote: RAOUL DUKE: And a voice was screaming: “Holy Jesus! What are these goddamn animals?”
Brief Plot Synopsis: We’re off to … off the Wizard.
Rating Using Random Objects Relevant To The Film: 3 Dark Side of the Moon albums out of 5.
Tagline: “You will be changed.”
Better Tagline: “This could’ve been a musical email.”
Not So Brief Plot Synopsis: Following her break from the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) and the power-hungry Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) is now labeled Oz’s Most Wanted. This precarious situation puts her friend Glinda (Ariana Grande) in a tough spot, as she must navigate her role as the regime’s public figure and her upcoming wedding to Prince Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), all while secretly aiding Elphaba as the “Wicked Witch” plans to thwart the Wizard.
“Critical” Analysis: My initial impressions of last year’s Wicked were not favorable. The muted color scheme, the overly enthusiastic vibe typical of theater kids, and the director John M. Chu’s decision to label it “Part I” right from the start left a sour taste, suggesting Universal was poised to cash in on this franchise for another film. Thus, it’s fair to say my expectations for the sequel were low.
However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Wicked: For Good, while not without its flaws, surpasses the original (even if it feels somewhat unnecessary). This improvement can largely be attributed to the deeper emotional resonance, standout performances from Erivo and Grande, and a surprising reduction in the focus on extravagant Broadway-style production numbers.
The adherence to the original musical’s elements, which cultivated a devoted fanbase, also limited Wicked’s potential. Chu was bound to the grandiosity of numbers like the extended “Dancing Through Life,” attempting to recreate that quintessential Broadway experience. This raised concerns about whether a sequel to a front-loaded Wicked could maintain the same energy.
While those worries were not unfounded, the absence of major showstoppers like “Defying Gravity” lends Wicked: For Good a more cinematic feel. Although the transition from dialogue to song can be jarring (no offense, Michelle Yeoh; perhaps that was a one-time thing), there is a discernible effort to propel the story forward without the relentless emotional yearning that characterized the original.
That being said, there are aspects that still leave much to be desired. Certain characters, such as Nessarose (Marissa Bode), seem oblivious to their own flaws, while apex predators like Dulcibear (Sharon D. Clarke) fail to recognize their power over the Wizard. Elphaba really should have no trouble dealing with a man whose sole skill is slight of hand (which he even sings about, of course).
Speaking of which, Jeff Goldblum gradually slipped into playing himself (similar to Samuel L. Jackson), and I hardly noticed.
The intertwining of events with The Wizard of Oz is a significant draw for both Wicked and For Good, yet it feels somewhat heavy-handed here. The film goes so far as to include actual scenes of Dorothy and her companions, courtesy of Elphaba’s misguided magic. It’s unclear whether Chu was underestimating the audience’s ability to connect the dots or if Universal insisted on these additions, but they seem unnecessary.
This leads to the theory that studio interference could be at play, as there seems to be no justification for expanding Wicked into two films beyond pure profit motives. Wicked: For Good meanders until the second act, where the pace picks up, but it arguably would have functioned better as a climax to the first movie.
Nonetheless, Chu does manage to create some visually interesting scenes, such as juxtaposing Glinda’s walk down the aisle with Elphaba’s discovery of the Wizard’s captive animals (furthering her encounter with Doctor Dillamond), and the poignant parting shot of the two witches separated by a door (which almost didn’t make it into the film). The story gains momentum after Elphaba and Fiyero’s romantic encounter, as she begins to embrace her darker, villainous side.
I found myself enjoying Wicked: For Good. Is it too lengthy? Absolutely. Is it still visually bland? Indeed. Does it extend subplots that might have been better left unexplored? Yes, without a doubt. However, the chemistry between Grande and Erivo feels more genuine, and the so-called “weaker” musical numbers carry more impact, likely because there are fewer of them. After all, who doesn’t enjoy a good villain origin story?
Ask A 16-Year Old:
RFTED: Are we leaving?
16YO: Why would you want to watch the credits?
RFTED: Maybe there’ll be a stinger for the next Avengers movie.
16YO: We’re going.
Wicked: For Good is in theaters today.
Follow Houston Press: Instagram | Facebook | X
Everything you need to know about Houston. Delivered to your inbox. Subscribe to Houston Press Newsletters
This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2025.
Related Tagged: film, Homepage, Movies, Wicked
Pete Vonder Haar writes movie reviews for the Houston Press and the occasional book. The first three novels in the “Clarke & Clarke Mysteries” – Lucky Town, Point Blank, and Empty Sky – are out now.
