Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)
Oz the Great and Powerful (2013) is a fantasy adventure film directed by Sam Raimi, serving as a prequel to L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The story explores the origins of the Wizard of Oz and the events leading up to his arrival in the Emerald City.
The film follows Oscar “Oz” Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious morals, who is swept away in a tornado from Kansas to the magical land of Oz. Upon his arrival, he encounters three witches: Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz), and Glinda (Michelle Williams). They mistake him for a prophesied wizard destined to save Oz from a great evil.
As Oscar navigates the fantastical world, he grapples with his own insecurities and questions whether he has what it takes to be the hero that Oz needs. With the help of newfound friends, including a flying monkey named Finley and a living china doll, Oscar uses his cunning and illusions to combat the forces of darkness, culminating in a showdown that reveals the true power of his cleverness.
The film features stunning visuals, a whimsical tone, and themes of self-discovery, courage, and redemption. While it received mixed reviews for its narrative, the performances and production design were widely praised.
