Film: Oz The Great and Powerful

As a kid I was a little obsessed with the Wizard of Oz, partially because of the bright, magical world it portrayed but mostly because it was one of the only videos my nan had that was worth watching. I mean it was basically a choice between  Pollyanna or Wizard of Oz, and I’ll choose a fantasy musical with Judy Garland over that any day. So when I heard Sam Raimi was planning a prequel I was quite apprehensive, especially when it was revealed that it was was a totally original story centring on the Wizard who I’ve never really found to be a especially interesting character. When I later heard that the sexy James Franco was playing Oz I suddenly found myself more intrigued, and I reasoned I had to see it to see for myself if it could live up to the original. 

Set a few years before The Wizard of Oz, the story sees the ‘wizard’ (James Franco) swept in to a hurricane in his balloon, crashing in the fantastical land of Oz. Meeting a mysterious and beautiful witch with a temper, Theodora, (Mila Kunis), her devious sister Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and the good witch Glinda (Michelle Williams; Oz sets out to free the land from the wicked witch with his magical tricks. He is aided by his companions an adorable monkey, Finley, (Zach Braff) and a china doll, simply named China Girl (Joey King). 

The story bares striking familiarity with the original, which begs the question of how they will adapt the Wizard of Oz for the already announced sequel. The film isn’t afraid to riff off the Judy Garland version, starting in the old 4:3 format and black and white before becoming a fully coloured widescreen production upon entering Oz. Dorothy’s three companions are hinted to. There’s even a musical number from the munchkins. 

James Franco takes a while to get used to the role of Oscar ‘Oz’ Diggs, at first coming across as a bit of a dick. He greats an effective image of a conman without laying it on too thick, you can believe that all these girls are falling at his charming feet. His turn from trickster to hero is believable and well played, his loyalty being tested many times. He goes from a man only interested in ruling Oz for the money to one who wishes to protect it. His CGI companions are effectively portrayed, with fine voice acting, appearing as genuine as any of the others.

The three witches threaten to steal the show, although unfortunately two of them suffer from their fates being firmly set. Mila Kunis plays Theodora’s transformation from a sweet yet troubled girl in to Wicked Witch incredibly well. Yet the hints that she can be saved seem false when you know she melts at the hands of a pail of water. It’s even worse for Rachel Weisz who, while quite compelling, will presumably start the next film crushed under a farmhouse. Michelle Williams is interesting as Glinda, fleshing out the previously rather under-developed character; using the cuteness and bubbles to hide the intelligent, powerful woman underneath. 

There are some small issues I have with the film, for instance I don’t understand why Glinda needs a wand to do spells which her life is tied to; while the Wicked Witches do not. The main romance subplot feels a bit tacked on as well, without much establishment throughout. The film doesn’t really have much of an ending unfortunately, as a result of it setting up The Wizard of Oz. While Oz is saved, most of the story threads are left open; and we know the land will fall into Wicked Witch lead disarray again before Dorothy crash-lands.