Rumors began to buzz back in 2010 about the development of Oz the Great and Powerful, a prequel to the legendary The Wizard of Oz, which explores how the wizard himself came to be the ruler of Oz. Revisiting places like Munchkinland, the yellow brick road, Emerald City, and the sleep-inducing poppy fields seemed like an amazing cinematic opportunity to create a modern classic, especially after the Blockbuster success of Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, and the revamping of Snow White-based stories for both the big and small screens. Director Sam Raimi (the Spider-Man trilogy) was behind the camera sharing the backstory behind one of the most beloved films of all time.
Oz the Great and Powerful, which hits theaters on Friday, stars a clumsy and uninteresting James Franco (Spring Breakers) as Oscar “Oz” Diggs, a charmless and philandering magician / conman who fails to bring any likability to the screen, falling flat with only hints of greatness. Once arriving by hot air balloon during a twister in the land of Oz (yes, both the character and location have the same name), we learn that the aloof trickster is mistaken for a wizard meant to fulfill the prophecy in defeating and ending the reign of the Wicked Witch over the good people of Oz. Franco lacks the comedic chops and heroic depth to balance out Oz’s challenge in overcoming his self-doubt. The pressure on young Oz to fill the almighty shoes as faithful leader crushes Franco’s performance who stumbles to deliver any palpable hope of goodness. He relies on shallow quick-wit and empty, flirtatious stares at his female leading ladies to fill in the gaps. Not to mention that Oz’s grand proclamations of wanting to achieve greatness like his heroes, Thomas Edison and Harry Houdini, don’t seem to balance with how he searches for quick solutions to any problem.
However, the actresses brought their A-game to the film, including an enchanting Michelle Williams (My Week with Marilyn) as Glinda, the Good Witch with a heart of gold and believable moral compass who has been banished from Emerald City after the murder of her father, the king. It was quite refreshing to see the often dramatic, three-time Academy Award nominee take a lighter turn on screen. Williams gracefully brought the essence of Glinda to life, motivated by the goodness instilled in her by her father’s vision for Oz.
Mila Kunis (Ted) is the naïve Theodora, a young witch who struggles with the darkness inside of her and a desire to be good until betrayal fuels an evil transformation. Also, her on-screen sister, Rachel Weisz (The Bourne Legacy), is a stunningly power-hungry Evanora, a deceitful wicked witch, controlling the people of Oz, who believe that she is good, and manipulating her sister with the temptation of revenge.
Lastly, young actress Joey King (Ramona and Beezus) plays dual roles as a paralyzed country girl during Oz’s magician days in Kansas and also, as China Girl, a nameless little girl literally made of breakable china and the sole survivor from the Wicked Witch’s recent tirade which destroyed all of China Town. Franco is really at his best on screen during his scenes with China Girl, who is along for the adventurous ride, tugging at whatever shreds of selflessness that Oz is too egotistical to realize that he could have inside of him.
Zach Braff (TV’s Scrubs) also pulls double-duty as Frank, Oz’s Kansas-based, verbally abused assistant during their shows in a traveling carnival, but then also offers his voice to Finley, an articulate and animated flying monkey in Oz who pledges his life service to the unbeknownst wizard. I almost wonder what the film would’ve been like if Braff and Franco switched roles since every scene that included Braff as Frank or Finley was infinitely more engaging.
Also, additional casting included memorable performances by a sweet Bill Cobbs (TV’s Go On) as Master Tinker who helps Oz during the battle against the evil sisters, as well as a funny Tony Cox (Bad Santa) as the delightfully grumpy Knuck, a perfectly sarcastic contrast to the usually cheerful residents that we know from Munchkinland.
The screenplay by Mitchell Kapner (The Whole Nine Yeards) and David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole) takes the audience on an adventure, celebrating a family-friendly tale of goodness triumphing over evil. Of course, there are plenty of laughs in the action / fantasy film, especially in Braff’s quirky and lovable monkey alter ego, Finley. The dynamic of the characters moves very quickly from scene to scene, and I was left wondering why everyone was so easy to trust that Oz could get the job done, when his magician ways clearly can’t compare to the wondrous abilities of the film’s three powerful witches.
The 3D experience of the film is superb with chase scenes through the Dark Forest, rivalries of magic between the witches, as well as the beautiful fairy-tale landscapes that bring exactly the type of enchantment you’d expect from the land of Oz. The prequel successfully sets up the story behind The Wizard of Oz, revealing how a morta
l man from Kansas hides behind a curtain with levers and buttons, thus becoming the booming voice and larger than life face in the smoke that maintains peace for his people.
There’s no doubt that L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz has had an indescribable influence on Hollywood and the imaginations of moviegoers everywhere. The movie based on the novels that we all know and love has provided timeless phrases that will go down in the books as the most popular movie quotes, including a sobbing Dorothy who has returned to Kansas after her adventures in Oz with the adage: “There’s no place like home,” or the screeching sound of the Wicked Witch’s threats to the 1939 film’s heroine: “I’ll get you, my pretty, and your little dog too!” Not to mention the unforgettable sound of Judy Garland’s voice in “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” which still inspires young singers today. In addition, the record-breaking, Broadway play, Wicked, based on the novels by Gregory Maguire, shares an equally bewitching take on what was going on long before Dorothy ever arrived in Oz.
Yet, in the company of such impassioned and flawless feats of entertainment, Oz the Great and Powerful does not offer this kind of impact. The film delivers a promising and fun look at Disney’s cookie-cutter formula, paying homage to the fantasy genre, hinting at secrets to Dorothy’s eventual presence in Oz, embracing themes like believing in yourself, and lastly that goodness is more important than greatness.
Rating: The film is made up of great and entertaining puzzle pieces that barely meet the hype for a powerful or worthy prequel to The Wizard of Oz. (7/10)
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