'Oz The Great and Powerful' has a lot to live up to as the prequel to the classic MGM musical 'The Wizard of Oz', starring Judy Garland in what is arguably her best (as well as best-known) role. Although it is a good and enjoyable film, 'Oz' never quite lives up to it's full potential. My friend commented that at certain points you could tell it was a Disney studios film because you could tell which bits were going to have rides modeled on them, which feels uncomfortably cynical especially when compared against the perceived innocence of the original film.
In some ways, the cynicism feels appropriate; 'The Wizard of Oz' is about the innocent Dorothy's journey to help her friends and to return home to Kansas, whereas 'Oz the Great and Powerful' is about Oz's personal journey to redemption. His character is weak and selfish, ambitious to become a great man but not bothered about becoming a good man. Franco's turn as the winking, theatrical Oswald (Oz) is entertaining but has an emptiness to it- like some of the other actors (for example Mila Kunis) it feels a little like they aren't really giving the same level of performance they might for a more serious role. I did enjoy Rachel Weisz's performance as Evanora.
A good film for a Sunday afternoon, but not worth buying the DVD.
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