Drawing to a close this sensationally cinematic take on the theatrical smash, Wicked: For Good brings the stage musical’s second act to the screen. Directed once again by Jon M Chu, this is an odd yet often highly entertaining combination of simplicity and subversion, a film that echoes our post-truth politics with its depiction of a regime which demonises dissenters, wrapped up in the sparkle and bows of a blockbuster.

As it opens, green-skinned animal rights activist Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) has been firmly established as the Wicked Witch Of The West by Oz’s merciless propaganda machine, with her good friend Glinda (Ariana Grande) installed by Jeff Goldblum’s dastardly Wizard and his powerful sidekick Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) as the flawless face of their scheming. Meanwhile, Glinda’s fiancé, Jonathan Bailey’s pouting prince Fiyero, is tasked with tracking Elphaba down, but does he still have feelings for her?

The runtime is mercifully shorter than the first film and the songs this time are more killer than filler, with memorable numbers including the titular ‘For Good’ (performed to perfection by Erivo and Grande), Goldblum having a ball with the mischievous ‘Wonderful’, and smouldering romantic duet ‘As Long As You’re Mine’. But the more the story interacts with events from The Wizard Of Oz itself the more it comes a cropper, with some bizarre plot twists and workarounds.

Nevertheless, it’s still a hugely impressive production, a mostly magical mash-up of old-school sets and new-school CGI. And the performances sell it and then some. Erivo and Grande, in particular, are on unstoppable form. Whether they are singing their hearts out or slinging slaps like in an episode of EastEnders, Elphaba and Glinda are the gloriously compelling centre of a sometimes chortle-worthy storm. If the romance is a bit bungled, then these two fine actresses ensure that their own love story is one for the ages.

Wicked: For Good is in cinemas from Friday 21 November.