The world of Oz returns in “Wicked: For Good,” the highly anticipated follow-up to the 2024 film adaptation of Act I of the hit Broadway musical “Wicked.” Starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, the movie picks up where the first one left off, following the two witches as their lives diverge and the consequences of their actions play out. With the premise already established, the second movie takes on the far more challenging task of developing the story. Like many sequels, it struggles under the weight of high expectations. While the film is still a spectacle, it doesn’t quite reach the same heights as the first movie.

“For Good” suffers from many of the same weaknesses found in Act II of the original musical, namely its forced exposition of the Oz characters’ origins. The film almost force-feeds the origins of various Oz characters, and its frequent callbacks from “The Wizard of Oz” can make the story feel constrained by its source material, limiting the space for “Wicked” to develop its own narrative and character arcs. Short flashes of Dorothy and her companions appear throughout the movie, and while these can feel slightly jarring, focusing on Elphaba and Glinda ultimately feels refreshing, even if it asks viewers to make sense of the film’s connections to the broader Oz universe.

Additionally, the movie’s pacing is uneven, and, at times, frustrating. While certain plot points move quickly, other parts drag on, particularly during the two new songs that weren’t in the Broadway musical, Erivo’s “No Place Like Home” and Grande’s “The Girl in the Bubble.” These additions mostly fall flat rather than enhance the characters’ emotions. Combined with the fast-moving plot, the songs create a polarizing flow that makes it difficult to stay engaged.

One of the biggest strengths of “For Good” is the acting performances. Erivo and Jonathan Bailey deliver strong continuations of Elphaba and Fiyero, but Grande stands out so much that Vulture stated that “‘Wicked: For Good’ is Ariana Grande’s movie.” As Glinda, Grande explores a fully fleshed-out character full of contradictions, holding her own alongside established actors like Erivo and Bailey, and delivering a remarkably complex Glinda.

“For Good” makes a polished second installment, with striking visuals and convincing performances from the cast. It’s a fun watch, even if it leaves you wishing for a bit more enchantment.

Audrey Kim can be reached at [email protected].