Wicked: For Good (2025)

Chu has delivered another epic musical that blends grim political themes with delightful numbers, despite the second act's challenges. The critic singles out the central love story and performances of Erivo and Grande, along with Tazewell's costuming, as the beating heart of this exhilarating film.

Ebiri finds the sequel better than the first, more somber and focused, with Grande shining as Glinda; praises the intimacy in musical numbers and emotional depth, calling it a satisfying conclusion.

The film manages the transition from prequel to the known Oz story with tragicomic brio and keeps the rainbow dreaminess and show-tune zing. Cynthia Erivo delivers a genuinely moving, black-belt performance as Elphaba that reveals new vulnerability.

Rooney praises the performances, especially Grande's as Glinda, noting the film's focus on character and sisterhood, and how it levels the playing field between the two leads. He highlights the emotional impact and production values but notes some doubts about splitting the story remain.

The sequel is grander and more ambitious but not necessarily better than the first, with stronger passion and darkness offset by pacing issues and less focus on friendship. Goldblum's Wizard is singled out as the standout for injecting levity, while Erivo and Grande's chemistry remains a highlight.

The film builds to a cathartic conclusion but falls short of the first part's captivation. The review highlights the emotional payoff while noting it is not quite as engaging overall.

This is the weaker half of the story: sadder, more understated, with fewer memorable songs and a glum tone that makes it less enjoyable than the first film. The critic praises the talented cast and political reframing of Oz but notes frustrations with pacing, new songs, and missing energy.

The critic calls the film a bloated, unimaginative mess and cash grab that pads the thin second act with fluff and poor direction, lacking both style and substance. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo's chemistry and performances are singled out as the sole bright spots.

The critic says the sequel repeats the first film's strengths and flaws but ultimately numbs with endless spectacle that leaves little room for nuance or feeling. Cynthia Erivo is praised for sparkling, though the more-is-more approach is faulted.

The critic finds the sequel a sluggish disappointment that magnifies the stage show's weaker second half with pacing issues and thin storytelling, calling it a slog for non-fans. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande's vocal performances are praised amid the overall wheelspin.

The sequel darkens the Oz origin story with witch hunts and mass delusion while speaking to contemporary US politics. It succeeds in making its own complexity look simple through bold, impressive execution.

The critic concludes that the film will satisfy the saga's devotees with Chu's enthusiastic direction and the leads' top-form performances bringing events to a rousing close. Production design and the stars' lung-busting vocals are highlighted as pleasures despite some effects gripes.

The critic notes that the film strips back operatics to focus on the witches' relationship and praises its tender, deftly staged closing with the song 'For Good'. It highlights some additions like explicit political commentary but laments the loss of certain supporting charms.

The critic deems the film a clumsy, overlong travesty that mangles fairy-tale logic and iconic source material with poor visuals, contrived plotting, and unearned cynicism. It singles out the lack of brains or heart in the filmmaking and the disrespectful handling of Oz lore for complaint.

The critic finds the film a coherent, heartfelt wrap-up to the story that emphasizes the enduring friendship between Elphaba and Glinda amid darker political themes in Oz. It singles out the two leads' chemistry and the director's ability to manage the spectacle for praise.

The sequel surpasses the first film in verve, ambition and emotional ache, slickly directed and regularly igniting through its drive into the Wizard of Oz mythos. Cynthia Erivo is extraordinary as Elphaba, carrying the film with haunted brilliance.

The review praises the sequel for improving on the stage show's second act, delivering spectacle and emotional depth while sharpening its critique of deception and authoritarianism. It especially highlights Ariana Grande's expanded, nuanced role as Glinda alongside strong performances from the cast.

Director Jon M. Chu delivers a magnificent and beautifully executed conclusion to the story. The film is praised as a stunning, deeply moving triumph with standout performances, extraordinary craft, and a powerful emotional core.

The critic finds the sequel soars even higher than the first film as a splendidly realized cinematic musical adaptation. They single out the lively 'Wonderful' number as a musical highlight and praise the strong performances and production values.

The critic calls it a strong conclusion to the musical that builds on the first film's strengths while leaning into the lead performances. Erivo and Grande are singled out as magnetic standouts whose chemistry and vocals carry the film, though pacing from including all source songs and some CGI flaws are noted drawbacks.

The critic praises the magnificent music and standout performances, particularly Ariana Grande's more dimensional Glinda, but finds the film padded with reprises, suffering from broken momentum due to the one-year gap between parts, and a muddled finale that fails to recapture the first film's spell.

The critic calls the follow-up underwhelming and inferior to the first, hamstrung by its ties to The Wizard of Oz. They single out the film's failure to deliver a satisfying conclusion to the Elphaba-Glinda story amid obligatory plot elements.