Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
James Franco | ... | Oz | |
Mila Kunis | ... | Theodora / Wicked Witch of the West | |
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 | |
Stephen R. Hart | ... | Winkie General | |
Abigail Spencer | ... | May (as Abigail Leigh Spencer) | |
Bruce Campbell | ... | Winkie Gate Keeper | |
Ted Raimi | ... | Skeptic in Audience | |
Tim Holmes | ... | Strongman | |
Toni Wynne | ... | Strongman's Wife | |
![]() |
Rob Crites | ... | Firebreather |
Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz. At first he thinks he's hit the jackpot-fame and fortune are his for the taking. That all changes, however, when he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz), and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone's been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity-and even a bit of wizardry-Oscar transforms himself not only into the great and powerful Wizard of Oz but into a better man as well. Written by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Oz the Great and Powerful .. or maybe not so great, but still highly watchable.
Franco plays the little man behind the curtain, while Kunis, normally a favourite of mine, appears to be stuck in that tornado. Neither manage to defy gravity but the rest of the cast were pleasant, especially Weisz - even with her Emperor-like green force lightning.
It would have been a more visually stunning Oz had the effects been simplified. Conversely, the story lacked depth and with some rather clumsy dialogue (especially for Kunis), it was all perhaps a little too light and "Disney".
Doesn't quite get the ruby slipper, but maybe 3 out of 5 wands.