Oz the Great and Powerful

Theater plays, Broadway and west end musicals and the movies. The Wizard of Oz is one of the worlds most famous and greatest of them all. Versions from 1925 and the most famous of them all in 1939. In 1978 The Wits was created, a African American adaptation with Micheal Jackson and even a sequel was created in 1985 in which Dorothy goes back to Oz. The Wizard of Oz has been probably one of the longest running children stories ever.

Now in 2013, 74 years after the original and 28 years after the sequel Oz the Great and Powerful hits cinemas.

James Franco takes on the role of Oscar Diggs, or Oz (his magician name), a gifted illusionist yet dreaded con man in the world of man. But one day in a twist of events, he finds himself swept up in the magical land of Oz, where as we all know, he is destined to rule. Here he confronts evil magical forces, magic, superior to his own.

Now the film itself was fun, exciting, funny and of course magical, making it the perfect kids movie.

Again like the original, the beginning, set on earth, was in black and white, giving it the good old feeling of making the film seem old as it was set back in the 30s/40s. This touch was fantastic. I must say though, that the beginning and some things he said throughout was a little corny or cheesy, some bits made me think "oh dear", but never the less, it was a kids movie with the age certificate being a PG.

The special effects were very good and very well made, with the 3D being possibly the best for a movie I have seen, if not one of them.

The art direction was phenomenal, with an Alice in Wonderland feel, making it seem extremely serial, with bright colours, odd creatures and structures.

James Franco was brilliant as always, using a selfish, playboy personality throughout, with a touch of nice, every now and again. And then where was the three actresses Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams and Rachel Weisz who brought a huge variety of emotion to the screen.

The movie perfectly explained the back story of Oz as it all fits in with the original. Even familiar scenes were used from the original, which was good.

Fantastically enough, there is rumour of a sequel to Oz the Great and Powerful, which I am looking forward to dearly as the first was not only a fantastic kids movie but for adults and teenagers also.