The Movie: It’s been more than 70 years since Dorothy and pals skipped down the yellow brick road to find the wizard – but how did the wizard get to Oz in the first place? That’s precisely the question director Sam Raimi seeks to answer in Oz the Great and Powerful, a prequel of sorts that tells the story of a carnival magician (James Franco) who finds himself swept away to a mystical land and mistaken for its long-awaited savior.
Expect plenty of cleverly veiled references to MGM’s classic as Raimi and company pay homage to The Wizard of Oz, even employing the same technique of casting performers in multiple roles. Franco is serviceable in the lad, but the true stars are voice actors Zach Braff and Joey King, who imbue their digital characters with a startling amount of humanity. Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz and Michelle Williams also deserve honorable mention as a trio of witches, one of whom is harboring a dark secret.
- The Good: Stunning visuals. Excellent use of 3D. Consistently fun.
- The Bad: Plot “twist” not really a surprise. Leading role could have been cast better.
- The Verdict: Breathtakingly beautiful and heartwarmingly nostalgic, Oz the Great and Powerful crafts an enjoyable new tale while invoking the same sense of wonder and mysticism as the original.