Jonathan Bailey – ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS

WICKED: FOR GOOD – Review by T.J. Callahan

November 19, 2025November 19, 2025 T. J. Callahan Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jeff Goldblum, Jon M Chu, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Wicked For Good

Touching on themes of identity, rejection, the corrupting influence of power, animal rights, sacrifice, and the capacity of friendship, the PG rated Wicked For Good sends ideal messages for all ages that reflect our current times. The casting of this movie is utter perfection with Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh and Sexiest Man Alive, Jonathan Bailey reprising their roles. But it’s the sisterhood between Grande and Erivo, both on and off the screen, that makes Wicked For Good wicked good.

Reviews

WICKED: FOR GOOD – Review by Susan Kamyab

November 19, 2025November 19, 2025 Susan Kamyab Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jeff Goldblum, Jon M Chu, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Wicked For Good

In Part 2, the now demonized Elphaba known as the Wicked Witch of the West has been exiled from Oz and is desperately fighting for the freedom of silenced animals and trying to expose the lies of The Wizard. While Glinda has been appointed as “The Good Witch” and a comfort to Oz, she is internally struggling, missing Elpheba, her best friend and being part of a charade to villainize her. Now unfortunately, Wicked: For Good fails to defy gravity like the first film, BUT as whole, the essential parts of the story are wonderful. There’s a beautiful message about friendship, love, acceptance, and being cautious of false heroes.

Reviews

WICKED (PART ONE) – Review by Valerie Kalfrin

November 26, 2024November 30, 2024 Valerie Kalfrin Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jeff Goldblum, Jon M Chu, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Wicked (Part One), Wizard of Oz

A theatrical adaptation of Wicked debuted in 2003, eventually becoming one of the top-grossing musicals in Broadway history. Now, its film adaptation appears, leading audiences back to the Emerald City and the first clashes and collaborations of the green-skinned Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and the blond socialite Glinda (pop star Ariana Grande). Directed by Jon M. Chu, Wicked unfolds with the pop and panache of an interactive storybook, its music, costumes, art direction, and production design crafting a rich theatrical experience. It’s also nearly three hours long—and only half the story of the stage show, ending essentially at the musical’s first act, which runs a little over an hour onstage. Those unfamiliar with the book or the musical (and I’m one of them) might wonder where in the world the story can go from here. (Part Two is set to arrive in November 2025.)

Reviews

WICKED (PART ONE) – Review by Susan Granger

November 19, 2024November 24, 2024 Susan Granger Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jeff Goldblum, Jon M Chu, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Wicked (Part One), Wizard of Oz

Never underestimate the phenomenal power of L. Frank Baum’s Wonderful Wizard of Oz as Wicked is one of the few films that more than lives up to the hype and hoopla. Director John M. Chu’s screen adaptation of the Broadway show is already a movie megahit, joining two inspiring Grammy-winning divas as they delve into the backstory behind Victor Fleming’s 1939 classic. This musical prequel, loosely based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, begins just after Dorothy dissolves Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. As the gleeful Munchkins celebrate, Good Witch Glinda (Ariana Grande) floats in. “Weren’t you and Elphaba once friends?” inquires a youngster. Indeed they were.

Festivals

WICKED (PART ONE) – Review by T.J. Callahan

November 19, 2024November 21, 2024 T. J. Callahan Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jeff Goldblum, Jon M Chu, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Wicked (Part One), Wizard of Oz

The wand has been passed. Director Jon M. Chu is now the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. He has taken a Tony Award winning musical, based on a beloved book and timeless movie, and made immersive big screen magic. For those who have managed to avoid anything Wicked in the last 20 years, this film adaptation is the backstory of the characters of L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.. Chu has paid homage to nostalgia from the opening graphics to the technicolor land of Oz, but has kicked everything up a notch by taking advantage of today’s technology without airbrushing out the awe. Wicked has courage, heart and a brain, and something for all audiences.

Reviews

WICKED (PART ONE) – Review by Susan Kamyab

November 19, 2024November 20, 2024 Susan Kamyab Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jeff Goldblum, Jon M Chu, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Wicked (Part One), Wizard of Oz

Wicked has been a beloved stage production. Now you can see the story on the big screen in theaters with the whole family during the holiday season. Visionary director Jon M. Chu inspires audiences with a truly magical retelling of the emotional Broadway hit. The film’s nearly three hour runtime allows for effective character development while moving forward impressively quickly and even leaving you wanting more. Thankfully, this is only the first part of the adaptation and fans can look forward to part 2 next year.n

Reviews

WICKED (PART ONE) – Review by Nadine Whitney

November 19, 2024November 20, 2024 Nadine Whitney Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jeff Goldblum, Jon M Chu, Jonathan Bailey, Marissa Bode, Michelle Yeoh, Peter Dinklage, Wicked (Part One), Wizard of Oz

It has been a long time since a stage musical has been transposed to cinema with as much skill and depth as Wicked. Based upon Geoffrey Maguire’s novel, Wicked the movie delves deeply in its extended runtime into the themes of how someone becomes wicked. The superb cast puts their best into the dancing, acting, and singing. Wicked is a movie musical of the highest order and one of the best in cinema releases of the year. The magic and the passion for big bold enchanting movies is real.

Reviews

BRIDGERTON Season Two – Review by Susan Granger

April 5, 2022April 7, 2022 Susan Granger Adjoa Andoh, Bridgerton Season Two, Jonathan Bailey, netflix, Phoebe Dynevor, Rege-Jean Page, Shonda Rhimes

When Bridgerton debuted in December, 2020, the Regency-era costume drama quickly became one of Netflix’s most popular shows, reaching 82 million households. Admittedly, its second season lacks the sexy spice of the first, focusing on far less interesting characters. Nevertheless, its Gossip Girl-meets-Downton Abbey concept is addictive for bingeing. Reimagining 19th century England, it once again focuses on aristocratic families seeking favor from Black royalty.