“Oz the Great and Powerful” is the 2013 live action fantasy film, directed by Sam Raimi, based on the book “The Land of Oz” by L. Frank Baum. Its set in 1905 and follows a man named Oscar “Oz” Diggs (played by James Franco) who is a likable but sneaky illusionist at a traveling carnival in Kansas. Oz gets in trouble with the carnival strongman and needs a getaway vehicle, which comes in the form of a hot air balloon. However, this occurs during a fierce tornado which the balloon gets caught in. Instead of dying, Oz ends up in a beautiful and magical place called the Land of Oz, where there is a legend that a wizard will come and free the people who live in Oz from the Wicked Witch.
Despite what you might think this isn’t a prequel to the well-known 1939 musical, but a prequel to the actual books. However, this doesn’t mean that this new version don’t make references to the 1939 classic. But since this isn’t truly tied to the well-known musical, they’re allowed to do some cool stuff like actually making the flying monkeys, I mean, baboons, intimidating. We also get to see some more locations in Oz and more of the wildlife since the land of Oz isn’t as explored as, say, Wonderland.
The acting in the film is good overall minus one or two exceptions. First though, the good stuff. James Franco does a good job as Oscar and seems like the guy who you would want to be with. He balances the good aspects of Oscar along with the sneakiness that the character has without going overboard. However, Oscar isn’t the only one going up against the Wicked Witch. He has two companions along with him, a flying monkey in a bellhop suit Finley (voiced by Zach Braff) and a girl named China Girl (played by Joey King), a little two foot high girl literally made out of china.
Finley is supposed to be the main comedic relief and while he can be annoying, he’s not intolerable. Zach Braff does the role well and tries his best, even when he has to deliver some groan inducing jokes. China Girl, while slightly comedic, is mainly there to be the little girl that inspires Oscar (and it’s not as sickening as one would think). King knows when to hit the notes she needs to hit, but it feels a little weird when she drastically changes emotional tone.
And now, the bad stuff. There are two characters that should have been either re-casted or edited a bit: the Wicked Witch and the Good Witch. Some people might take what’s about to be revealed as a spoiler, but it really isn’t much of one. This also reveals who the initial bad guy is in the movie so if you don’t want to know just skip ahead two paragraphs.
Theodora is the first person to meet Oscar and bring him to the Emerald City to relay the prophecy, where they meet up with Evanora (played by Rachel Weisz). Theodora and Evanora are sisters who have been waiting for Oscar. Evanora is the one controlling the flying baboons and eventually turns Theodora into the Wicked Witch of the West. Mila Kunis is a fine actress who does the role of Theodora well, however it becomes laughable when she becomes the Wicked Witch.
The role of the Wicked Witch needed to be done by someone who sounds intimidating. Kunis doesn’t have this in her. Remember the Wicked Witch from the 1939 musical? Yeah, you’re older now and she doesn’t seem so scary, but the actress who played her, Margaret Hamilton, really put her all into it and was scary back then. That’s not to say Kunis doesn’t try, but she sounds like Meg Griffin trying to be the Wicked Witch. They should have at least pitch shifted her voice or something to add a bit of intimidation. Plus her costume is nothing special and looks a little silly, so she both doesn’t look and sound the part.
Glinda the Good Witch (played by Michelle Williams) is okay, but doesn’t really seem to be too interested. Michelle Williams doesn’t really seem to want to put her all into this role which is something that is needed with the Good Witch. During fight scenes (yes, there are a few fight scenes) she doesn’t even try to react with a lot of emotion.
The CGI in the film ranges from being distractingly noticeable to subtle and well done. The CGI is most noticeable when characters are walking around Oz, which could have been avoided if they built some more practical sets. However, on moving characters the CGI is well done, especially when we first meet China Girl. When we meet China Girl the movements are so subtle that you swear you are looking at a well made puppet, and the flying baboons and Finley move well without being distracting.
Overall, this is a fun movie and should be seen. Most of the cast does their job well but, there are some people who should have been recast. Also, the film isn’t really long (only being 130 minutes) but the third act drags a bit. Disney has adapted Oz books before with the dark cult classic “Return to Oz” and while this film isn’t as dark, you could do worse. If you want to see “Oz, the Great and Powerful” then you’ll have fun, but don’t feel like you need to run out to the theater to see it.
Do you have a recommended film that you want me to see in theaters? Leave your suggestion on my twitter page at @Benson1992C. I normally watch films at Smitty’s Cinema in Tilton so check what’s being viewed there. I go and watch the films on Saturday so make sure you leave your recommended film there before then. I’ll go and watch the film with the most recommendations.