Oz The Great And Powerful (2013)

Director: Sam Raimi

Writer: Mitchell Kapner, David Lindsay-Abaire (Screenplay) Mitchell Kapner (Screen Story)

Starring: James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams, Zach Braff, Bill Cobbs, Joey King, Tony Cox

Plot: Oz (Franco) a small time carnival magician gets transported to Oz a magical place where three witches are trying to gain power of the world. Theodara (Kunis), Evanora (Weisz) and Glinda (Williams) all claim to be the good witch of the land, while Oz has to keep under wraps that he is just a fraud and not the saviour of the land. Oz has to go on an adventure along with a flying monkey Finley (Braff) and a china girl (King) before a final show down between all the witches.

Verdict: A strong prequel to one of the all-time classics

Story: It was always going to be hard to do another film around the Wizard Of Oz, so what do we get a prequel learning how Oz became the Wizard of Oz. This works to great affect giving us not just his origin story but the wicked witches’ origin story. The story is full of hints to how things came to be for Dorothy. Be it how Oz met her mother before getting taken to Oz, the building of scarecrows and a lion in the forest. (8/10)

Actor Review: James Franco – Oz the magician mistakenly taken as the wizard, has to keep up appearance to give the people of Oz hope. Franco is great in this role showing great charisma throughout. With big names linked to the role he stepped in and made it his own. Star Performance Award (9/10)

Actor Review: Mila Kunis – Theodora one of the witches who is easily convinced and misled by the people around her. Good performance having to change as the film unfolds as well as being put in a position we are not used to seeing her in. (7/10)

Actor Review: Rachel Weisz – Evanora another one of the witches who wants control of the land. Good performance in a role that is very controlling on what is happening. (7/10)

Actor Review: Michelle Williams – Glinda the last of the witches who also wants power of the land but for all the good reasons. Good performances with glimpses of greatness in the role being calm in the role when it was most needed. (8/10)

Actor Review: Zach Braff – Finley the flying monkey who vows to help Oz after he saves his life. Zach is great breaking the ice throughout the film and a great supporting character. Scene Stealer Award, Comic Relief Award (8/10)

Director Review: Sam Raimi – Great direction from one of the best in Hollywood. (8/10)

Adventure: Strong adventure film filled with everything you need to make it entertaining. (8/10)

Family: Good family film that would be enjoyed with all. (8/10)

Fantasy: Great fantasy film. (8/10)

Special Effects: Some great effects but also some terrible effects which really lets down the film. (4/10)

Believability: No (0/10)

Chances of Tears: No (0/10)

Settings: Oz is a great fantasy land and makes a great setting for this film. (9/10)

Suggestion: I would be suggesting this to all as it filled many film fans ideas to a great film. AS many people will have loved the Wizard Of Oz this is a very good prequel that doesn’t take away too much of the fantasy of the original. (Watch)

Best Part: The final plan.

Worst Part: Certain special effects are awful.

Action Scene of the Film: Final battle

Funniest Scene: Oz and Finley go to find the wicked witch and the banter in very funny.

Favourite Quote: Oz ‘Please, I don’t want to die! I haven’t accomplished anything yet!’