Wicked: For Good releases on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD in the UK today from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.
Synopsis
Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West and her relationship with Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. The second of a two-part feature film adaptation of the Broadway musical.
Review
The cultural phenomenon Wicked: For Good is officially available on digital, and with it comes the emotional conclusion to one of the most beloved musicals of all time. Pink and Green have taken over the world, and honestly? It’s been kind of glorious to watch.
Going into Wicked as a film-only viewer—having never seen the stage production—ended up being a blessing. I judged both films purely on their cinematic merits, free from Broadway comparisons or expectations. Still, For Good had the harder task.
It’s well known (thanks to internet chatter) that the biggest musical numbers live in Act I; the Wizard of Oz mythology plays a much larger role in Act II, and the story has far more narrative threads to balance.
Against those odds, the film largely succeeds—and when it works, it soars.
The film opens with a powerful scene – Elphaba terrorising Emerald City workers as they lay the Yellow Brick Road — an electrifying sequence that immediately raises the bar. She’s fierce and clearly on a mission, and it’s a thrilling opener. What follows is a steadier, sometimes slower first half, focused on grounding the audience in a post–Defying Gravity world. Flashbacks are used to fill in emotional and narrative gaps; while occasionally a little clunky, they never derail the film.
Once Dorothy arrives in Oz, the momentum shifts. From “No Good Deed” onward, the pacing sharpens, the stakes rise, and the film finally locks into its most confident point of view. The back half feels focused, urgent, and emotionally charged in a way that fully justifies the buildup.
At the heart of Wicked: For Good are Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, delivering performances that are nothing short of extraordinary. Their chemistry, emotional precision, and vocal power elevate every scene they share. Erivo, in particular, balances demanding physicality with raw emotional depth, anchoring the film even when other elements falter.
The supporting cast is excellent. Marissa Bode brings nuance and weight to Nessarose’s arc, Ethan Slater navigates Boq’s transformation with care, and Jonathan Bailey is charming and effective as Fiyero—though his character feels more like a narrative chess piece this time around, with noticeably less agency than in Part One.
The one major misstep is Madame Morrible. Michelle Yeoh is undeniably talented, but the role sits uncomfortably outside her musical strengths, especially alongside legendary Broadway-trained performers. Jeff Goldblum, on the other hand, fits seamlessly as the Wizard—a charming, conniving airhead whose lies are delivered with a grin. He understands the assignment and nails it.
Musically, the film is exceptional. The vocals are powerful, the orchestration rich, and the score thoughtfully layered. Subtle callbacks—like the gentle echo of “Couldn’t Be Happier” beneath Glinda’s emotional beats—add depth and cohesion, rewarding attentive viewers. It’s so masterfully thought-out, it’s a testament to the creatives at the helm.
Visually, however, the colour grading remains divisive. While the muted palette is clearly an intentional choice meant to underscore the darkness beneath Oz’s sparkle, it still feels like a missed opportunity. Oz has long been synonymous with Technicolour wonder, and here, the spectacle feels restrained when it could have been breathtaking.
Wicked: For Good leans into themes of identity, power, corruption, and legacy, deepening the tragedy and tenderness at the core of Elphaba and Glinda’s relationship. Even when pacing or visuals stumble, the emotional throughline remains strong. This is a story about how history is written, who gets remembered, and what it costs to stand in your truth.
Verdict
Wicked: For Good rises to the moment. Powered by extraordinary performances, emotionally devastating music, and a story that understands the weight of its own legacy, the film delivers a finale that lingers long after the final note has been played. It may stumble in places, but when it soars, it’s breathtaking. This is Oz at its most heartfelt—and a conclusion that earns its standing ovation.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
