Animal Reviews: Oz The Great and Powerful

Oz The Great and Powerful

A movie review by Leah Delgado

Movie Info

A prequal to the 1939 classic "The Wizard Of Oz" shows how the almighty Oz came to how he is known today, and how the Wicked Witch of the East, and the Wicked Witch of the West formed. A family fun film packed with magic and laughter.

Cast

James Franco - Oscar "Oz" Diggs

Mila Kunis - Theodora

Rachel Weisz - Evanora

Michelle Williams - Glinda

Zach Braff - Finley

Joey King - China Girl

The Review

Ever wondered where The Wonderful Wizard of Oz came from? The fraudulent little man behind the curtain? Well here's your chance. James Franco stars in this light hearted family film, alongside Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams and Zach Braff (you know, the guy from Scrubs?) Directed by Sam Raimi, the director of the original Evil Dead, and the Spider-man trilogy (so you know it''s going to be good) delivers this exceptional tale of how the great Oz became, well, the great Oz.

Although the film has no Dorothy in it, doesn't mean it's not good. At the start of the film, it's shown in black and white, to tribute the original 1939 masterpiece, and it adds that delicate touch from the original. Oz meets Annie, his love interest, and also the future Mother of Dorothy (So there is a link to her after all) but the film is set in 1905, at least 20 years before Dorothy is even born. The film is purely based on Oz's journey into becoming the Great and Powerful.

It's no doubt that James Franco is a remarkable actor. He catches his roles so brilliantly, making the audience really believe. In this particular role, he caught it spot on, his character as the fraudulent, womanizing Oscar Diggs, a failing magician blown away in a hot air balloon by a raging tornado, indefinitely captured hearts. Mila Kunis as Theodora (later becoming the Wicked Witch of The West) didn't exactly catch her role more than others did. If you're a family Guy fan, it's pretty strange seeing Meg turn into an ugly witch, screaming orders to baboons and cackling menacingly. Her voice is very sweet and innocent. In my personal opinion her voice was not "witchy" enough. It sounded too herself and not very evil. Apart from the cackling. She did that well. Rachel Weisz as the always evil Wicked Witch of the East definitely did it like a pro. She looked evil, she sounded evil, and she seemed evil right from the beginning we saw her. And not forgetting Finley; the flying monkey portrayed by Zach Braff. He's lovable, kind and just all around cute! Can't we have one?

In conclusion, The Great And Powerful Oz is a great film. In certain scenes the CGI isn't terrific, Mila Kunis doesn't do evil, and James Franco has impressed us once again. But in all honesty, to see as a family is a real treat. 3/5 stars.