OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL (2013)

Summary:

Oz the Great and Powerful serves as a prequel to L. Frank Baum's classic 1900 novel, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." The story follows Oscar Diggs, a charming but morally ambiguous small-time magician from a traveling circus in Kansas, who finds himself unexpectedly transported to the vibrant and enchanting land of Oz after a tornado carries his hot air balloon away.

Upon his arrival, he encounters three powerful witches – Theodora, Evanora, and Glinda – who believe him to be the prophesied wizard destined to save their land from a tyrannical Wicked Witch. Faced with the choice of embracing his newfound heroic role or continuing his opportunistic ways, Oscar must navigate the magical realm, confront his own shortcomings, and ultimately decide if he has the heart to become the great and powerful wizard everyone believes him to be.

Keywords: Oz the Great and Powerful, 2013, James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams, Fantasy, Adventure, Prequel.

Plot:

In 1905 Kansas, Oscar Diggs, a con artist magician, escapes an angry strongman in a hot air balloon during a tornado. He is swept into the magical land of Oz, where he is hailed as the wizard foretold to defeat the Wicked Witch and become king. He first encounters the beautiful and naive witch Theodora, who falls for him and introduces him to her older sister, Evanora, the royal advisor. Evanora, skeptical of Oscar but eager for a leader, tasks him with defeating the Wicked Witch, promising him a vast treasure.

Oscar travels to the Dark Forest with the flying monkey Finley as his reluctant assistant, where he meets China Girl, a living porcelain doll whose village was destroyed by the Wicked Witch. They then encounter Glinda, the Good Witch of the South, who reveals that Evanora is the true Wicked Witch, manipulating Theodora and framing Glinda. Theodora, heartbroken and enraged by Oscar's perceived betrayal and Evanora's manipulation, eats a cursed apple given by Evanora, transforming her into the green-skinned Wicked Witch of the West. Oscar, realizing his deception, must now use his illusionist skills and cunning, rather than true magic, to unite the people of Oz and defeat Evanora and the newly transformed Theodora, proving that even a con man can be a hero with a good heart.

Cast (Lead Roles):

• James Franco as Oscar Diggs / Oz
• Mila Kunis as Theodora / The Wicked Witch of the West
• Rachel Weisz as Evanora / The Wicked Witch of the East
• Michelle Williams as Glinda / Annie
• Zach Braff as Frank / Finley (voice)
• Joey King as China Girl / Little Girl in Wheelchair

Crew:

• Director: Sam Raimi
• Producers: Joe Roth
• Screenplay: Mitchell Kapner, David Lindsay-Abaire
• Story: Mitchell Kapner
• Composer: Danny Elfman
• Cinematography: Peter Deming

Release Info:

• Original Release Date: March 8, 2013
• Language: English
• Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Family
• Running Time: 130 minutes
• Accolades: Nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Film; praised for its visual effects, production design, and costumes.