Wicked for Good Review: The Final Verdict

The wait is finally over! After a year-long anticipation, Wicked: For Good has landed in theaters, concluding the two-part adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical. But does this long-awaited sequel soar like Elphaba on her broomstick, or does it fizzle like a melting witch? Let's dive into the reviews, performances, and the controversy surrounding Oz's latest cinematic adventure.

The Two-Part Debate: Was It Worth the Split?

From the moment it was announced that the 2.5-hour musical would be stretched into two films totaling nearly five hours, questions arose about the necessity of this split. Critics at The New Yorker call it "mercenary foolishness," arguing the story's climax from Part I should have been the natural conclusion. Meanwhile, The Ringer podcast hosts describe "For Good" as deeply frustrating due to bizarre story choices and one-dimensional characters. Even the positive NPR review acknowledges the padding feels obvious: "This installment is far from a total misfire... but the over-padding... soon becomes readily apparent."

Plot & Performances: Elphaba's Descent

Picking up where Part I left off, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) is now a full-blown outlaw, defying the Wizard's oppressive regime after discovering he's a fraud who's stripped animals of their speech. Glinda (Ariana Grande), meanwhile, becomes a bubbly spokesperson for the dictatorship in a politically charged romance with Captain Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey). Michelle Yeoh returns as the villainous Madame Morrible, spreading anti-Elphaba propaganda.

Erivo and Grande remain the undisputed highlights. Their chemistry is electric, with NPR noting their "electric every time they share screentime." The film's emotional core arrives during their duet "For Good," a stirring moment that transcends the script's flaws. As The New Yorker quips, "They were as well-matched as pistachio and cherry."

"The two new songs... add little beyond runtime." — NPR

Music & Adaptation: New Songs, Mixed Results

While Stephen Schwartz's original classics shine, new additions like Elphaba's "No Place Like Home" and Glinda's "The Girl in the Bubble" fall flat. NPR criticizes them as "add little beyond runtime," while The New Yorker calls the production values "lavishly gilded, emerald-studded" yet technically flawed, with lighting issues making Oz "either too dim or too bright."

Adaptation choices also draw criticism. Maguire's darker political themes are watered down for mainstream appeal. As NPR observes, "the story aims to challenge perceptions of what makes someone 'good' or 'bad,' but... sands down those provocations."

The Verdict: Good Enough, But Unnecessary

Despite flaws, Wicked: For Good isn't a total disaster. Its heartwarming commitment to the source material and powerhouse performances save it from being "very, very bad" as The New Yorker claims. NPR's "good enough" verdict feels apt: it's entertaining spectacle with undeniable charm, but ultimately redundant.

Ultimately, this Oz adventure will delight die-hard fans craving more of Erivo and Grande, but general audiences might wonder why this couldn't have been one cohesive film. As the dust settles on Oz, one question remains: Is Wicked: For Good a cinematic triumph or a cautionary tale about Hollywood's greed?