Wicked For Good 3D Movie Review

Wicked For Good 3D Movie Review

Written By: Adolph Vega


3D

I watched Wicked for Good in a laser projection theater, and sadly, the 3D presentation feels like an afterthought. There are moments where the film genuinely commits to dimensionality—especially scenes featuring flying particle effects that pop off the screen. The chase scene in the woods with flying monkeys looks especially nice in 3D thanks to its strong use of layered depth. A panning sequence involving mechanical gears is also well executed, and a tunnel scene full of monkeys uses depth effectively. These moments prove the film could have been a strong 3D experience. About 15% of Wicked for Good looks genuinely great in 3D, while the remaining 85% maintains shallow, minimal layering with almost no real depth.

Unfortunately, those highlights are very brief and infrequent. Most of the movie sits in very shallow depth, with flat compositions and camera angles that don’t complement stereoscopic 3D imagery. Several scenes that clearly should have been visually rich simply aren’t. There are noticeable ghosting issues as well as shots where objects extend slightly out of frame, but not in a way that feels intentional—just awkward.

The result is 3D that isn’t terrible, but is ultimately forgettable and under-utilized. It feels as though the creative team only committed to 3D in a handful of sequences and treated the majority of the film like a normal 2D production. If you’re watching in a less-than-ideal theater—dim bulbs, older projectors, or no laser setup—this experience could easily drop a point. Wicked for Good has overall weak 3D, and it’s hard to recommend seeing it in this format.

Final 3D Score: 6/10

Movie

Wicked for Good picks up after the first film with no recap, no “previously on,” and no help for anyone who didn’t recently rewatch Wicked: Part One. This isn’t a sequel in the traditional sense—it’s the second half of a story that was originally one stage play, and it expects you to already know what’s going on. If you haven’t seen the first film, you’ll likely spend a good chunk of this one confused. Because it is structured as a direct continuation, the narrative doesn’t feel self-contained.

Wicked for Good is simply too long. The pacing starts slow and continues to drag in several places due to unnecessary scenes and story detours that don’t add much weight. An early birthday scene is a great example—it’s pleasant, but ultimately unnecessary and adds to the bloated runtime. That said, the emotional core of Wicked for Good is very strong, especially in the final act, which almost had me in tears. It’s powerful, bittersweet, and likely to hit audiences hard in a satisfying yet sad way. The tone is more serious than the first movie, though it maintains a similar overall quality—I just didn’t enjoy it as much.

Musically, the performances are excellent. Every song is sung with passion and gravitas, and the titular song “For Good” is superb. However, outside the context of the movie, most songs aren’t especially catchy or memorable. I’m not convinced these tracks will be popular, or if they’ll defy gravity and become hits on the radio.

Visually, the film delivers what you’d expect: gorgeous costumes, detailed sets, and strong production design equal to or better than the first installment. CGI is mostly good, though some scenes feel oddly digital when practical effects or makeup would’ve worked better—one character in particular looked like they should’ve been done with prosthetics instead of full CG. The movie ties into The Wizard of Oz (1939) in ways that are sometimes a little too cute, but still effective, acting half as table-setting for that story and half as closure for Wicked’s arc. Some iconic Oz characters get meaningful backstory, though the depth varies from character to character.

Overall, Wicked for Good is emotionally resonant, well-acted, and thematically rich, especially in its portrayal of propaganda, dictatorship, and the power of collective belief. Performances from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are standout strengths; they have genuine onscreen chemistry and carry the emotional weight of the story. Jeff Goldblum gives the Wizard a charismatic, grifter-like edge, and I’m glad he gets more screen time and his own musical number. While the movie maintains the high quality of the first, the pacing and excess runtime hold it back. Wicked for Good offers a thoughtful reflection on what it really means to be “wicked” or “good,” reminding us that those labels often depend on who controls the narrative—and how those in power weaponize them to shape truth.


Final Movie Score: 8/10



Learn more about how we rate 3D content via the link below:

https://www.3dor2d.com/3d-or-2d-ratingssystem/


Read our review for the original Wicked Movie via the link below:

https://www.3dor2d.com/reviews/wicked-3d-movie-review

Official Website :

https://www.wickedmovie.com/

© 2025 Universal Pictures. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.


Predator Badlands 3D Movie Review

Predator Badlands 3D Movie Review

By Jacob Scarberry


3D

With the only previous Predator 3D release being the notoriously bad post-conversion of the 1987 classic (back in 2010), I was worried this one might follow suit. Fortunately, this new 3D presentation looks really nice — though it could’ve been a bit stronger in places.

Predator Badlands opens with a terrific shot from inside a cave looking out toward the horizon — the cavern’s edges stretch toward the viewer while the skyline fades into the distance, showing off impressive 3-D depth. That same sense of dimension continues throughout the movie.

There are several fun pop-out moments — debris flying toward the audience, weapons aimed straight at the viewer — that make you instinctively want to duck. Some nighttime scenes naturally flatten things a bit, but even then, there’s still a solid sense of depth. I only noticed a couple brief instances of ghosting, and only on the subtitles.

Overall, Predator Badlands has an impressive 3D presentation that’s absolutely worth watching in that format.

Final 3D Score: 7/10*

* Previously this score was 8/10. Upon further consideration the reviewer has changed his mind and lowered it to a 7.


Movie

The Predator franchise has had a rocky 30-plus-year run — starting with a fantastic first film and followed by sequels of wildly varying quality. But after the surprisingly good Prey in 2022, it feels like the series has finally found its footing again. Disney made the right move by keeping Prey director Dan Trachtenberg on board for Predator Badlands, because this movie is genuinely great.

The story follows Dek, the so-called “runt” of the Yautja tribe. Ordered by their father to be killed for being weak, Dek is spared by his brother Kwei, who lets him escape to another planet, Genna — only for their father to slaughter Kwei in the name of tradition. Determined to earn his way back home, Dek sets out to claim the impossible trophy known as the Kalisk. Genna, however, is far more dangerous than he expects.

While struggling to survive the planet’s brutal environment, Dek encounters a legless android named Thia, who reluctantly becomes his partner on this perilous quest. I won’t spoil what happens next, but let’s just say a surprisingly cute merchandising opportunity joins the mix — creating an unlikely but endearing little “family.”

I’m not gonna lie — I was genuinely surprised by how good this film was. Even after Prey, I didn’t expect Disney to actually deliver another solid Predator entry, but here we are. The performances are strong all around, with Elle Fanning doing a solid job as Thia (even if her slightly grating tone seems intentional for the character).

Jeff Cutter’s cinematography is fantastic — shot with older lenses that give the movie a cinematic flair and some stylish lens flares — while making New Zealand look otherworldly in the process. The score by Sarah Schachner and Benjamin Wallfisch is another standout, and the sound mixing deserves serious awards attention. The editing keeps the pacing tight with no unnecessary fluff.

Sure, the story is fairly predictable — the “young warrior rises up against the odds” formula — but it smartly flips expectations by making the Predator the hero instead of the villain. A few CGI elements don’t quite hold up, but there are also some truly impressive effects, especially the entirely computer-generated mandibles, which look fantastic.

Overall, Predator: Badlands is a strong, worthy addition to the franchise — entertaining, well-made, and hopefully just the beginning of a new era for Predator.

Final Movie Score: 8/10



Learn more about how we rate 3D content via the link below:

https://www.3dor2d.com/3d-or-2d-ratingssystem/


Official Website :

https://www.20thcenturystudios.com/movies/predator-badlands

©2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.


ParaNorman 3D Movie Review ( Remastered 2025 Edition )

ParaNorman 3D Movie Review

( Remastered 2025 Edition )

By Jacob Scarberry


3D

Another year, another Laika 3D remaster. Last year’s remaster of Coraline was fantastic (even from the neck-breaking front row I was stuck in) — a real treat for the spooky season. I had high hopes for this 3D remaster, but sadly, it was a bit of a disappointment.

 

The biggest issue is the lack of consistent pop-outs, despite so many opportunities — from particles and storm effects to limbs and objects entering the 4th wall, and the ghastly wraiths haunting the world of ParaNorman. When pop-outs did occur, they were a lot of fun: the zombies’ first appearance as they charge straight toward Norman, the climax with sharp tree spikes bursting from the ground, and a few other scattered (bugs flying out) moments throughout.

 

The strongest aspect of the 3D is its excellent sense of depth — the environments look fantastic and immersive. Unfortunately, noticeable ghosting appears in several scenes, which knocks the overall experience down a notch.

 

It’s still an enjoyable 3D presentation overall, but mild compared to Coraline’s remaster — and on its own merits, the 3D in ParaNorman feels fairly weak.

Final 3D Score: 6/10


Movie

What do you get when you mix The Sixth Sense, The Goonies, Hocus Pocus, The Monster Squad, and Romero’s Deadtrilogy? You get a wonderfully entertaining stop-motion animated classic that may not reach the heights of Laika’s previous film Coraline but stands tall as a classic in its own right.

 

The story follows misunderstood Norman Babcock (Kodi Smit-McPhee), an outcast who can see the ghosts of Blithe Hollow’s former residents. Even his family doesn’t fully understand him — except for his dearly departed grandmother, who still spends time with him — and his friend and fellow outcast Neil (Tucker Albrizzi). Things take a dark turn when Norman begins seeing terrifying visions of the town’s past, which leads to a major freak-out during the annual school play about the town’s witch-hunting history.

 

Norman’s estranged uncle, Mr. Prenderghast (John Goodman, in an all-too-brief role), warns him about a yearly ritual meant to quell the witch’s curse. Norman must perform it before sundown — or the town will face the witch’s wrath. Joined by a ragtag group of family and friends, Norman sets out to end the three-century-old curse once and for all.

 

When I think of animated horror films for families, I usually think of Hotel Transylvania — fun, but completely safe. ParaNorman, on the other hand, isn’t afraid to mix humor with real menace and emotional weight. Though ParaNorman first hit theaters back in 2012, it’s aged like a fine wine — its themes, humor, and craftsmanship feel just as sharp and relevant today as they did over a decade ago. Kids need more films like this — ones that balance scares, laughs, and meaningful themes without talking down to their audience.

 

The animation is stunning. Laika’s stop-motion craftsmanship is second to none: every frame is packed with intricate details in the sets, costumes, and expressive character animation. The cinematography beautifully captures the autumnal New England atmosphere, with warm lighting and even subtle touches like sunlight glowing through the characters’ translucent skin. The script is sharp and funny, and directors Sam Fell and Chris Butler handle the material with confidence and heart.

 

If there’s one flaw, it’s that the movie takes a little while to get going — but once it does, it’s a nonstop festival of frights and delights. It deserves a permanent place in your annual Halloween rotation for generations to come.

Final Movie Score: 8/10



Learn more about how we rate 3D content via the link below:

https://www.3dor2d.com/3d-or-2d-ratingssystem/


Official Website :

https://www.laika.com/our-films/paranorman

© LAIKA Studios 2025. All Rights Reserved