“Wicked: For Good” Reimagines the Wizarding World with Grande, Erivo, and Unstoppable Scale
Jon M. Chu’s much-anticipated adaptation of Wicked: For Good has certainly taken on more than just a “clock tick.” Spanning a mammoth 297 minutes across two parts, this cinematic reimagining of Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel is a spectacle, an ode to everything grand, bold, and undeniably theatrical. Yet, whether its scale captivates or overwhelms depends on your capacity to endure not just the magic of Oz, but a relentless parade of color, sound, and emotion that permeates every frame.
From the moment you step into this fantastical world, it’s clear that Wicked: For Good has much more than the Wizard of Oz at its heart. The showstopping musical numbers, iconic characters, and grandiose sets all set the stage for a lavish reinterpretation of L. Frank Baum’s beloved universe. In Chu’s hands, this adaptation channels more than a hundred years of American entertainment history—melding elements from Baum’s original work, the beloved 1939 film, the 2003 stage musical, and Maguire’s subversive vision of Oz. What’s striking, however, is how the adaptation pushes the boundaries of spectacle to an almost dizzying extent.
The spectacle of Wicked has always been a trademark of its design. We’re talking about power ballads, dramatic choreography, and retina-testing technicolor that floods the screen. But in the case of Wicked: For Good, it feels almost excessive. At 297 minutes, the runtime is a commitment—a marathon more than a movie. As the lights dim and the music swells, you can’t help but ask yourself: Is this necessary? Does more always mean better? For some, the answer will be an enthusiastic yes, but for others, this might veer dangerously close to indulgence.
Yet, as any fan of the stage musical will attest, the world of Wicked thrives on “muchness.” It’s a universe built on allegory, larger-than-life characters, and an unyielding sense of earnestness. This adaptation, as a product of today’s blockbuster ethos, elevates the scale to epic proportions—but does so at the risk of losing some of the intimacy that made the stage production so emotionally stirring. In fact, it’s almost impossible not to recall Maguire’s satirical take on The Wizard of Oz—a work that famously dismantles the cozy dualities of good and evil that Baum’s classic put forth. In Maguire’s world, Oz isn’t just a magical land—it’s a lie, a propaganda machine for those in power. That central theme is echoed throughout Chu’s adaptation, where the dichotomy of Glinda the Good Witch and Elphaba the Wicked Witch becomes less of a moral debate and more of an exploration of identity, truth, and perception.
Perhaps one of the most memorable moments in Wicked: For Good is the bench swing scene, which Chu describes as an “engineering feat.” The imagery is unmistakably reminiscent of a Disneyland ride, a fantastical visual that’s as much about the wonder of childhood nostalgia as it is about the power of storytelling. The swing, made of broomsticks, carries Glinda and Elphaba through a vibrant, kaleidoscopic room—an iconic piece of design that perfectly encapsulates the sheer visual ambition of the film.
Ariana Grande, playing Glinda, shines best in the film’s lighter moments. Her portrayal captures the humor and playful nature of the character, particularly when she delivers a fleeting but spot-on impression of Margaret Hamilton’s iconic cackle. However, it’s Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba who truly takes center stage, elevating the material with a depth of emotion and a sense of gravitas that’s impossible to ignore. Erivo’s Elphaba is simultaneously hopeful and resigned, a woman caught between the beauty of the world she imagines and the harshness of the one she inhabits. Her rendition of the new song “No Place Like Home” reveals an emotional core that grounds the fantasy, proving that sometimes, finding home requires more than just a flick of the heels or a click of the clock.
Despite its moments of grandeur and visual splendor, Wicked: For Good is a film that demands patience. Its marathon length, coupled with the complexity of the story, may prove challenging for some viewers. But for those who can appreciate the sheer scale and ambition of this long-awaited cinematic journey, the world of Oz—flawed, complicated, and fantastical—has never looked more dazzling.
“Wicked: For Good” is a Universal Pictures release, rated PG for action/violence, some suggestive material, and thematic elements. Running time: 297 minutes.
