Review of Oz the Great and Powerful (2013) by Bradley F — 16 Nov 2013

As much as I wanted to see this film, I was very nervous about it. I mean there were already people hating on it and really James Franco to me is really hit and miss. When I finally got to see the film, I was pleasantly and wonderfully surprised.

The films is breathtaking just to look at. the Visuals are first rate and we all just wish we can go to Oz just by looking at the great cinematography. Well how about the story? Well, I hear this film is a prequel based off the books of Oz, not the classic 1939 film. The story holds up great. Basically, Oz is being terrorized by a Wicked Witch and it's up to Oscar to defeat this witch and become the Wizard of Oz.

James Franco stars as the future Wizard. He can be very charming and funny at times. However, I feel the character of Oscar isn't very likeable. I mean I know he's supposed to be a Con man. But really he just comes off as the world's biggest jerk. Again, we all know in the end he'll be a better person. But still being a liar and womanizer is not helping his cause at all.

I think the film's strongest point here is it's supporting cast. We have a Flying monkey named Finley and a Porcelain China Doll. Probably out of all the characters, they both shine the brightest here. But my favorite characters would have to be the Witches. I know a lot of people had huge issues with Mila Kunis playing the Wicked Witch of The West. But come on, she was great. I think a lot of people foolishly were thinking Mila Kunis was going to have out shine the Original Wicked witch Margret Hamilton. But no Actress can ever do that, I don't care how many Oscars, no actress can do better than Margret Hamilton. But I do think Mila Kunis did a really good job with the role. Now can we please stop with the Meg jokes?

As for the other two witches, Michelle Williams as Glinda was just great. She was very likeable and kind of stole the show a little bit. Evanora, played by Rachel Weisz, was I think the weakest of the trio of witches. She wasn't a bad actress or anything, but I was never really threatened by her or scared of her. I would almost say she was the most boring witch I ever seen on screen. But I do have to admit the battle between her and Glinda is pretty cool.

All in all, this film was a pleasure to watch. Besides the weak characters of Oscar and Evanora I really didn't see anything wrong with the picture. So, I totally recommend this film for everyone to see.