Mini Review
For most people, Oz The Great And Powerful was highly anticipated. Not so much for me. On the one hand I was intrigued by the trailer but on the other hand I didn't just dislike The Wizard Of Oz, I downright hated it. But it was my turn to pick the Orange/EE Wednesday film to watch with my friend and as I thought Oz would be gone from the cinema soon I plumped for that.
The film takes us back to before Dorothy landed in Oz, right back to when the Wizard of Oz landed in Oz. Oscar Diggs is a carnival magician and a bit of a scoundrel by all accounts. One day when the travellers are packing up to leave, his scheming ways catch up with him and he finds himself in a sticky situation. His only escape is a hot air balloon, which he promptly climbs into. Before he knows it he's headed into a tornado which whisks him off to the land of Oz. There he meets Theodora, a beautiful white witch who tells him of the plight of those who live in Oz, as the threat of the wicked witch plagues them. Ah but wait, there is a prophecy that a great wizard will come and save them all. Could he be that great man?
Mmm, probably not. He might be handy with an illusion or two but don't expect Oz to lead anyone in a great fight to the death, he's far too much of a coward for that. Which is a pity because he's the star of the show, the Great and Powerful one of the title, and yet he's a bit of a shit really. Not exactly the hero you can really get behind and root for. And I think ultimately this is Oz's undoing. Sure it looks great and has lots of pretty ladies in nice dresses, heck every now and then there's even a Wizard Of Oz reference thrown in for good measure. But what good is any of that if you have a useless, cowardly, not even that attractive, and all round not very nice, 'hero'?
It's no good at all. James Franco is known for his sometimes odd and sometimes on the money film choices, and I can understand why he took this but it just didn't work for me. Michelle Williams, Mila Kunis and Rachel Weisz all look very pretty but they don't have an awful lot to do. Thankfully, the only thing that could have made me hate this more, singing, never gets into full swing. It's the one thing I'm thankful to Oz for. Overall, a disappointing and unnecessary prequel but if you're a fan of the original there might be something here for you. 4 out of 10.
Viewing Date - 27th March 2013
UK Release Date - 8th March 2013
Cast Overview:
James Franco ~ Oscar (Oz) Diggs
Mila Kunis ~ Theodora
Rachel Weisz ~ Evanora
Michelle Williams ~ Annie/Glinda
Zach Braff ~ Frank/Finley
Bill Cobbs ~ Master Tinker
Joey King ~ Girl in wheelchair/China Girl
Tony Cox ~ Knuck
Director ~ Sam Raimi
Writer(s) ~ Mitchell Kapner (Screenplay and Screen Story), David Lindsay-Abaire (Screenplay) and L. Frank Baum ("Oz" works)
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