Wicked For Good Review: Wickedly Boring, But Sympathetic

RATING - ⭐ ⭐ ✨ 2.5/5*

Wicked For Good Review Movie Talkies:

If you remember Christopher Nolan’s masterpiece The Dark Knight, you’ll also remember how its hero willingly transforms into a villain so the world can hold on to the idea of a saviour. Jon M. Chu’s Wicked For Good tries to use a similar classic formula, but unfortunately, it results in a film far more mediocre than meaningful. Going back to The Wizard of Oz (1939), we saw Dorothy and her companions triumph over the Wicked Witch of the West. In Wicked For Good, the same familiar characters return, but with a twist meant to reshape the fairytale. The Wicked Witch’s image is completely redefined. Chu attempted this in 2024, and now again in 2025, hoping to prove that not every fairy tale is as it appears. Here, Elphaba is actually the true Wizard of Oz, yet she is branded a villain, while Glinda—portrayed as immature and unprepared for leadership—is celebrated as Glinda the Good. This remains the most, and perhaps the only, sympathetic element in an otherwise dull sequel that never matches the charm or energy of its predecessor.

Wicked For Good Story:

The story picks up right where Wicked Part One ended. Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) is now a fugitive on the run, determined to expose the Wizard and Madame Morrible. Meanwhile, Glinda (Ariana Grande) prepares to marry Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey). But things turn chaotic when Elphaba, driven by desperation, makes yet another deal with the Wizard—only to be deceived again. Her anger pushes her to interrupt Glinda’s wedding, leading Glinda to believe her best friend has betrayed her. What follows is a conflict-heavy journey in which Elphaba must protect her love, fend off enemies on all sides, and endure the heartbreak of fighting the very friend she once cherished. All of this unfolds against a rising public revolt in Oz. The questions are intriguing, but sadly, the film rarely delivers the emotional intensity these setups promise.

Wicked 2 Review:

When a film lasts two hours and fifteen minutes and still feels slow, something is unquestionably wrong. Wicked For Good struggles with its pacing and lacks the freshness that made Part One engaging. The “twist” of presenting the Witch as misunderstood felt exciting earlier, but here it becomes predictable, repetitive, and even exhausting. There is simply nothing new to offer, and the narrative drags itself forward with childish segments that break the immersion. The climax finally has something watchable—just enough to shake you out of a light nap—but by then, the damage is done. The writing lacks spark, and the screenplay only amplifies the dullness. I truly wish the makers had something new to say, the way Part One did, where nearly every scene, conflict, and character arc felt genuinely fresh. The only new thing might be Elphaba's romance.

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Wicked For Good Cast:

Cynthia Erivo once again performs well, though I found her more compelling in Part One. While her emotional moments this time feel more convincing, the range of her scenes is noticeably smaller. Ariana Grande is playful, quirky, and funny—exactly what her role demands. However, after a point, her reactions and expressions become so predictable that you can sense them coming from miles away. Jonathan Bailey emerges as the standout performer, offering depth and sincerity that the film desperately needs. Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum appear only briefly, leave minimal impact, and exit without contributing anything memorable. Marissa Bode gets a few good moments and looks promising, while Ethan Slater is decent in his limited presence, especially during his makeover segment. The supporting cast does its job, though none of them offer anything particularly noteworthy.

 Wicked For Good Movie Review:

Visually, Wicked For Good continues the same two-palette colour scheme, green and pink, and frankly, it becomes tiring. The team used the exact grading last time, and despite major shifts in character dynamics, nothing has been upgraded. I expected a much darker tone, both visually and thematically, but the frames remain soft and overly glossy. The cinematography is competent and the 3D effects occasionally stand out, but overall, the film feels visually repetitive. Action takes a backseat as the film leans heavily into emotions, which might have worked if those emotions were more engaging. While Part One had several memorable scenes, musical performances, and vibrant sets, Part Two barely produces a single standout moment. Jon M. Chu’s direction keeps the narrative stable, but the magic simply isn’t there. The film feels too girlish, too safe, and ultimately too slow, making it an easy nominee in the “mediocre sequel” category. What was once a wanted sequel now feels entirely unwanted. The legacy and nostalgia of The Wizard of Oz I have in my mind deserved far better than Wicked For Good.

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