Oz the Great and Powerful

Director: Sam Raimi (Evil Dead, Spiderman)
Starring: James Franco, Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz
Certificate: PG
Run-time: 130 minutes

IN SHORT: An all-star cast and lush visuals can't compensate for an unsatisfying, shallow script and forced characterisation.

It's been nearly 75 years since our first adventure into Oz when Judy Garland unwittingly crash-landed her house upon the Wicked Witch of the East. The Wizard of Oz was MGM's most expensive and ambitious production at the time and although its cinema takings disappointed, it was lauded by critics and nominated for Best Picture by the Academy. 1985 saw the release of an unofficial sequel, Return To Oz - a film that has scarred many children's memories, no doubt! Which brings us to now and Oz the Great and Powerful, a 'spiritual prequel' that offers fans a back-story to some of the major players in the 1939 original.

In homage to the previous films, Oz starts in Kansas (and in black and white) as we witness the charms and tricks of Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a cheap but aspirational circus magician. A vicious tornado destroys the circus however Diggs escapes using a hot air balloon, finally waking up in the technicolor, sugary sweet world of Oz. He's greeted by a witch, Theodora, who is ecstatic to see him. Theodora believes that Oz has been sent down to fulfill an ancient prophecy and defeat the Wicked Witch. When Oz discovers the fame and riches at stake, he assumes the role of wizard and saviour of Oz, hoping that his bag of trusty circus tricks will get him by unscathed.

Can Diggs con his way to fame and fortune (and into bed with Theodora?)

A lot of the problems I had with Oz the Great and Powerful gravitate towards two camps - the script and the performances. The previous Wizard of Oz films had a magical sense of wonder and adventure, you felt transported and in awe. With Oz the Great and Powerful, I never felt that same sense of wonder. Maybe it's because I'm older and more cynical, who knows? The script seems more concerned with romantic sub-plots, most notably a love-triangle between Theodora, Glinda and Oz, that takes up far too much screen-time. The love-triangle is important and a catalyst for certain events but it's handled melodramatically and unrealistically.

The best parts of Oz occur when the audience are free to explore new places. For example, China Town, a cutesy little village inhabited by porcelain China dolls and the Dark Forest, a mysterious woods with evil lurking behind every corner. The set designers and visual effects maestros really earn their money with such moments. And it's clearly a terrain that Raimi is more comfortable in. Unfortunately though, the script doesn't leave much time for adventure as it quickly moves from A to B with clunky exposition and awkward characterisation. Some of the premise is down-right silly, even for a fantasy film. The origin behind the Wicked Witch of the West is weak and actually insulting. I wish I could delve more into this plot-point but I don't want to ruin the surprise.

There's no doubting the visual quality but that's mostly all Oz has going for it.

Performances are another problem however this is intrinsically linked to the writing, which is inconsistent. Mila Kunis and James Franco feel miscast, in my opinion. Kunis might just be the most fashionable and attractive witch portrayed on film and it's distracting. I'm not saying witches have to be ugly but Kunis and her look is far too contemporary, which ruins the immersion. Same problem with Franco, who feels too fresh, too modern-day and sure of himself. Rachel Weisz is neither good nor bad, settling somewhere in-between. Michelle Williams is positively gorgeous and the only cast-member who feels right in the role as the angelic, radiant Glinda.

I've picked Oz the Great and Powerful apart but it's not an unwatchable movie. The overwhelming reaction I had to it was one of indifference. I just feel when you're making a film with a budget as high as $200,000,000 at least make sure your script is water-tight and your performances are strong. The film looks nice; the sets, make-up and visual effects are all up there with the very best in the business. But much like the tin-man in the original, Oz is missing a heart. Oz the Great and Powerful is all about believing but when 90% of your film is trickery and illusion, it's very hard to believe.