Wicked: For Good

3 stars (out of 4)

Starring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, Marissa Bode and Ethan Slater. Written by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox. Directed by John M. Chu. 138 minutes. Open Friday at theatres everywhere. STC

As its paradoxical title suggests, “Wicked: For Good” has a lot swirling beneath its pointy witch’s hat.

Jon M. Chu’s spectacle-fuelled sequel to last year’s “Wicked” continues the saga of the sharply political prequel to “The Wizard of Oz,” doubling down on moral unease, dazzling design and a sense that goodness itself is up for debate.

It is darker, denser and in many ways more interesting than its predecessor, though newcomers should beware: entering Oz here without context is like being dropped into a tornado.

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