A frustrated circus magician from Kansas is transported to a magical land called Oz, where he will have to fulfill a prophecy to become the king, and release the land from the Wicked Witches using his great (but fake) powers.
Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz. At first he thinks he's hit the jackpot-fame and fortune are his for the taking. That all changes, however, when he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz), and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone's been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity-and even a bit of wizardry-Oscar transforms himself not only into the great and powerful Wizard of Oz but into a better man as well.Written by
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Director Sam Raimi and composer Danny Elfman had a major falling out during the post-production of Spider-Man 2 (2004), with Elfman stating that they would never work together again. With this film, they were able to patch things up and reconcile. See more »
Goofs
The balloon is not a hot air balloon, but a hydrogen balloon. Such balloons were the only practical balloons of this period, before compact propane fuels were available. They are recognisable by being smaller and spherical, without the lower opening of a hot air balloon. And of course, they don't need a burner. See more »
Quotes
[first lines]
Front Gate Barker:
Hurry, hurry, step this way. Get your tickets now. Don't be shut out, friend. Step this way. See the most wondrous sights imaginable. pulled from the four corners of the Earth. Acts to delight, to thrill and to mystify! Walk through these gates and into the world of wonder.
See more »
Crazy Credits
The closing credits are seen behind a stage curtain (at first in different colors, then for the remainder it stays green). See more »
Alternate Versions
The film was also shown in 3D. Some shots displaying 3D effects are exclusive to the 3D version, being altered or removed in the 2D cut. See more »
The film opens in sepia-tone academy ratio for the Kansas scenes, before widening out and blooming into full color in Oz (however, even the Kansas scenes are 3-D) . There appears Oscar Diggs (James Franco , though Robert Downey Jr. and Johnny Depp were both offered the role ; to prepare for his role Franco received training with magician Lance Burton), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics . At the start of the film, Oz works with the circus company "Baum Brothers Circus" (this is a reference to L. Frank Baum, the original author of the Oz series) . He is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz. At first he thinks he's hit the jackpot-fame and fortune are his for the taking. That all changes, however, when he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz), and Glinda (Michelle Williams , though Blake Lively was offered the role), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone's been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity-and even a bit of wizardry-Oscar transforms himself not only into the great and powerful Wizard of Oz but into a better man as well . Later on , the wiz is forced into a power struggle between three witches .
This is an agreeable film for children of all ages based on the all-time classic by Frank Baum . This engrossing picture contains powerful and haunting images , though also contains some flaws and results to be overlong . Beautiful scenery, colorful characters , spirited adventure and a stirring climax lift this story . It is a genuine as well as imaginative tale written and directed with great sensibility , fairness and imagination. It's plenty of scenes that stay in the mind as when the magician appears at the 'other side' that results to be the fantastic as well as glowing world of OZ . There's something for everyone here ; fans of fantasy , fans of magic and necromancy , fans of incredible adventures , should all find something to enjoy about this film . A perfect cast and enjoyable secondaries in the perfect fantasy . As a likable acting by James Franco as a small-time Kansas magician who is swept away to an enchanted land . The trio of witches is frankly well as Mila Kunis as Theodora , Michelle Williams as Annie / Glinda and special mention to Rachel Weisz as Evanora . Sympathetic support cast such as Bill Cobbs , Zach Braff , Tony Cox , Abigail Spencer , Bruce Campbell , Ted Raimi , among others . Spectacular and glamorous sets , production designer Robert Stromberg studied the films of Frank Capra and Walt Disney classic films to achieve the appropriate Art Deco design for the Emerald City of Oz . The director opted to use practical sets in conjunction with computer-generated imagery : physical sets were constructed so the actors could have a visual reference, as opposed to using green-screens for every scene . Director Sam Raimi and composer Danny Elfman had a major falling out during the post-production of Spider-Man 2 (2004), with Elfman stating that they would never work together again. With this film, they were able to patch things up and reconcile .
This story about OZ has been adapted several times such as : An old and mute version (1925) , the classic and the best rendition , the MGM release ¨The wizard of Oz¨ (1939) by Victor Fleming with Judy Garland , Ray Bolger , Billy Burke , Jack Haley , Frank Morgan and Margaret Hamilton as witch ; remade in 1978 as ¨The Wiz¨ by Sidney Lumet with Diana Ross , Richard Pryor and Michael Jackson and ¨Return to Oz¨ (1985) by Walter Murch with Fauriza Falk ,Nicol Willliamson, Matt Clark and Piper Laurie .
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful to you?
| Report this
The film opens in sepia-tone academy ratio for the Kansas scenes, before widening out and blooming into full color in Oz (however, even the Kansas scenes are 3-D) . There appears Oscar Diggs (James Franco , though Robert Downey Jr. and Johnny Depp were both offered the role ; to prepare for his role Franco received training with magician Lance Burton), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics . At the start of the film, Oz works with the circus company "Baum Brothers Circus" (this is a reference to L. Frank Baum, the original author of the Oz series) . He is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz. At first he thinks he's hit the jackpot-fame and fortune are his for the taking. That all changes, however, when he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz), and Glinda (Michelle Williams , though Blake Lively was offered the role), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone's been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity-and even a bit of wizardry-Oscar transforms himself not only into the great and powerful Wizard of Oz but into a better man as well . Later on , the wiz is forced into a power struggle between three witches .
This is an agreeable film for children of all ages based on the all-time classic by Frank Baum . This engrossing picture contains powerful and haunting images , though also contains some flaws and results to be overlong . Beautiful scenery, colorful characters , spirited adventure and a stirring climax lift this story . It is a genuine as well as imaginative tale written and directed with great sensibility , fairness and imagination. It's plenty of scenes that stay in the mind as when the magician appears at the 'other side' that results to be the fantastic as well as glowing world of OZ . There's something for everyone here ; fans of fantasy , fans of magic and necromancy , fans of incredible adventures , should all find something to enjoy about this film . A perfect cast and enjoyable secondaries in the perfect fantasy . As a likable acting by James Franco as a small-time Kansas magician who is swept away to an enchanted land . The trio of witches is frankly well as Mila Kunis as Theodora , Michelle Williams as Annie / Glinda and special mention to Rachel Weisz as Evanora . Sympathetic support cast such as Bill Cobbs , Zach Braff , Tony Cox , Abigail Spencer , Bruce Campbell , Ted Raimi , among others . Spectacular and glamorous sets , production designer Robert Stromberg studied the films of Frank Capra and Walt Disney classic films to achieve the appropriate Art Deco design for the Emerald City of Oz . The director opted to use practical sets in conjunction with computer-generated imagery : physical sets were constructed so the actors could have a visual reference, as opposed to using green-screens for every scene . Director Sam Raimi and composer Danny Elfman had a major falling out during the post-production of Spider-Man 2 (2004), with Elfman stating that they would never work together again. With this film, they were able to patch things up and reconcile .
This story about OZ has been adapted several times such as : An old and mute version (1925) , the classic and the best rendition , the MGM release ¨The wizard of Oz¨ (1939) by Victor Fleming with Judy Garland , Ray Bolger , Billy Burke , Jack Haley , Frank Morgan and Margaret Hamilton as witch ; remade in 1978 as ¨The Wiz¨ by Sidney Lumet with Diana Ross , Richard Pryor and Michael Jackson and ¨Return to Oz¨ (1985) by Walter Murch with Fauriza Falk ,Nicol Willliamson, Matt Clark and Piper Laurie .