Purely Joyful Movie!

A Disappointing Continuation

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

One of the best Disney feature films I saw so far. It's not on par with Pirates franchise or Lone Ranger, but it could not possibly be because it's completely kids-friendly. No one dies, there's no jokes inadequate for kids, it's tame fairy-tale, but it's beautifully written, designed and filmed and in the given limits it's the very best Disney movie I saw. I'm not sure, but I suppose that story is prequel to classic Wizard of Oz tale. Nothing here is superb, but there's no flaws either and I warmly recommend it to all fairy-tale and/or Mila Kunis fans.8/10

The Wizard of Oz, based on the novels by L. Frank Baum, is arguably the most popular musical fantasy film of all time, remakes and sequels have followed, with mixed results, this was probably the first prequel, set twenty years before events of the original novel, from director Sam Raimi (The Evil Dead, Spider-Man). Basically in 1905 Kansas, Oscar "Oz" Diggs (James Franco) is a small-time magician with a travelling circus, he has been flirting with the wife of the Strongman (Tim Holmes), a storm approaches and the strongman threatens Oscar, he escapes in a hot air balloon, but he is sucked into a tornado that takes him to the Land of Oz. There Oz meets beautiful yet naïve witch Theodora (Mila Kunis), she believes he is the wizard prophesied to become King of Oz by destroying the Wicked Witch who killed the king, Oscar only accepts hearing of the great riches the ruler of Oz will receive. On the journey to the Emerald City, Theodora falls in love with Oscar, but he does not reciprocate her feelings, after saving his life from a lion, they are joined by flying monkey Finley (Zach Braff), who pledges a life debt to Oscar, he reveals his deception to Finley, but the lie that he is a wizard is maintained. At the Emerald City, Oscar meets Theodora's beautiful older sister Evanora (Rachel Weisz), she tells him the Wicked Witch resides in the Dark Forest, she can be destroyed with her own wand, Oscar and Finley travel to find and kill her, and are joined by a young living China Girl (White House Down's Joey King), whose family and home was destroyed by the Wicked Witch. The three reach the Dark Forest, and encounter the "Wicked Witch", the beautiful Glinda (Michelle Williams), who identifies herself as the daughter of the late king, in fact Evanora is the true Wicked Witch. Evanora watches the three in the forest through her crystal ball, she tricks Theodora into thinking Oz has deceived her about any feelings he may have had, Evanora offers Theodora a magic apple she says will help remove her heartache, in fact after biting it, Theodora is transformed into the green-skinned, ugly Wicked Witch of the West. Oscar and his group are brought by Glinda to her domain, away from Evanora's army of Winkies and flying baboons, she admits that she knows Oscar is not a wizard, but she still believes he can defeat Evanora, he reluctantly agrees to lead an army of Quadlings, Tinkers and Munchkins. Theodora enters and reveals her hideous appearance, she threatens to kill Oscar and the people, Oscar despairs that there can be no victory, but then talking about his hero Thomas Edison, he conceives a plan of trickery, Glina and his group make preparations. The witches are tricked into sending out the flying baboons, with scarecrow puppets and thick fog, into the poppy field that puts them to sleep, however two baboons manage to capture Glinda, she is brought into the Emerald City and chained. Meanwhile Oscar infiltrates the Emerald City, but he appears to abandon his allies, flying away in a hot balloon filled with gold, which Theodora destroys with a fireball. The witches prepare to execute Glinda before the large crowd of citizens, but then Oscar appears, using a hidden smoke machine and an image projector, he presents a giant image of his face as his "true" form, the wicked sisters are intimidated by the blasts of fire, and a fireworks display. Unable to hurt the "invincible" wizard, Evanora fearfully hides in the castle, while Theodora flees on her broom, Oscar calls to her and offers her to return should she overcome her wickedness, she angrily refuses and flies away. China Girl releases Gilda, who engages with Evanora in a magical duel, during which Glinda destroys emerald necklace that hides her true, withered appearance, and banishes her, the two remaining baboons carry Evanora away. Oscar is officially established as ruler of Oz, he uses the projector to sustain the belief he is powerful wizard, his friends agree to keep this secret, and he presents them with gifts, finally Oscar takes Glinda behind the curtain to thank her for making him a better person, and they kiss. Also starring Abigail Spencer as May the magic assistant, Bill Cobbs as Master Tinker, Tony Cox as Knuck the grumpy Munchkin herald, Bruce Campbell as Winkie Gate Keeper and Ted Raimi as Skeptic in Audience. Franco is engaging and likable as the con magician turned hero, and Kunis and Weisz really lap up being the beautiful and evil witches, most of the original 1939 movie contents are brought in, from a monochrome opening to the Yellow Brick Road, but no Dorothy or her friends, the brightly coloured scenery and special effects are a real treat for the eye, it is maybe not as magical or emotionally engaging as the classic it pays tribute to, but you can escape with the vibrant fairytale and wonderful characters, a fun family fantasy adventure. Worth watching!

This is an awesome movie, so don't believe the haters. When I saw it was rated low, I was like "oh darn". Then I watched it anyways and it was much better than I thought it would be. I don't understand why it is so underrated. The "professional" reviewers are completely out to lunch. It worked for me because I like movies that take you to another world and this did just that. Folks should know that when The Wizard of Oz came out in 1939, it was anything but a success. The Wizard of Oz is an institution and Oz the Great and Powerful is very honorable prequel and reminds you why you love the original. The casting and performances are spot on in this movie. Okay, the wicked witch might not be so wicked, but Rachel Weisz is great and James Franco was a good pick for the role. He is totally awesome as usual – he is hot and a true talent, full of charm and humor. His innocence keeps it light. The movie is great fun. It engages the audience right from the beginning and never lets go. No matter what age bracket you are in, you'll enjoy it.

Don't look for "Wicked" in this prequel to the 1939 classic, loosely based upon other L. Frank Baum stories. This stars James Franco as the future wizard of Oz who manages to break away from a black and white/non- widescreen Kansas tornado and fly into the colorful but often sinister land of Oz where he meets three beautiful women of various stages of morality and goodness. Then, there's a cute winged monkey, a seemingly sweet (but annoying) china doll and other familiar looking old friends from the original "The Wizard of Oz".Two sisters (Mila Kunis and Rachel Weisz) are running the Emerald City when the king of humbug arrives, and it is obvious that they are the future demonic rulers of the west and east. Who is who is not obvious, although the presence of Glinda is clear, if not as glamorous in Michelle Williams' hands as it was in Billie Burke's. Far more sinister to meet modern experience expectations, that is to the film's detriment. Obviously rushed out to capitalize on the success of Broadway's "Wicked", it makes that slightly over- rated musical seem a classic. This gets often overly silly and frequently mean-spirited, something that the charm of the original managed to avoid thanks to its innocence. The character of Theodora, the name given to the witch of the West, is simply turned into a vindictive crone, consumed with revenge over unrequited love towards the wizard. By adding a romantic attachment with two of the witches goes against the grain of the original story. The witch of the west seems to cackle out of nowhere, even when loosing her cause, and isn't at all as fascinating as Margaret Hamilton's witch or Elphaba of "Wicked" fame. Getting to know the witch of the east is a little more interesting, especially for those who have not seen "Wicked", although no reference is given to how she ended up ruling Munchkin City. References are hinted at that the Wizard knew Dorothy Gale's parents, but nothing is further explored in that realm. Certainly, 1939's MGM classic became famous slowly over time (thanks to TV), but that most likely will not happen with this film.