New Oz isn't so great or powerful

James Franco, as Oz, and flying monkey Finley, who is voiced by Zach Braff in the film. Source: Supplied

MOVIE REVIEW: All together now : "We'rrrrrrrrrrrre off to see the Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz ..."

Err, hang on. Better change the lyrics to "we're off to see the origin story of the wonderful Wizard of Oz."

All of a sudden, the tune becomes a whole lot less catchy, doesn't it?

Never mind. The target audience of Oz the Great and Powerful non-discerning cineastes aged 10 and under will still be happy enough with this prequel to one of the great children's movies of all-time.

James Franco stars as Oscar Diggs, a dodgy travelling magician from Kansas propelled by prairie tornado to the fabled land of Oz.

As we know from the many books of Frank L. Baum, Oz is quite the dazzling destination, what with its gold-plated thoroughfares and gem-encrusted metropolises.

(I know, I know. Why can't we just refer to the Yellow Brick Road and The Emerald City? Well, these and other Oz bits and bobs are locked under copyright elsewhere. Therefore the makers of Oz the Great and Powerful have had to be very careful with every little thing named or depicted here.)

However, behind the pretty facades of Oz, a ugly power struggle is going on for control of the kingdom.

Once the dust finally settles, there will be wicked witches ruling the roost in the east and west, and good witches holding down the north and south.

Sisters Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Theodora (Mila Kunis) are the attractively appointed frontrunners for the evil positions. Meanwhile, the best of the nice bunch is the kind-hearted Glinda (Michelle Williams).

So where does Oscar the Wizard fit in? A good question. And one the movie does not always answer satisfactorily.

As he wanders through Oz with a talking flying monkey (voiced by Zach Braff) and an orphaned porcelain doll (Joey King), Oscar keeps getting on the right and wrong sides of all the warring witches.

It is not until the final act that Oscar finally earns his keep in the movie, using his experience as a carny conman in a thrilling scheme to stop Evanora and Theodora having their wicked way with Oz.

Though prone to the odd flat spell where little seems to be happening, Oz the Great and Powerful works well enough to warrant a look-see.

James Franco is more chump than champ in the leading role, and history will probably record he was sorely mis-cast here. Thankfully, director Sam Raimi knows exactly when a lively diversion is needed.
 

Oz the Great and Powerful [PG]

Rating: 3/5

Director: Sam Raimi

Starring: James Franco, Michelle Williams, Rachael Weisz, Mila Kunis, Zach Braff, Joey King

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