Oz the Great and Powerful (Movie Review)

*Updated February 2026

In 1939, audiences experienced The Wizard of Oz, a film based on L. Frank Baum’s books that became an instant classic. Seventy-four years later comes the prequel Oz the Great and Powerful. The biggest fear of touching a classic involves ruining it, but viewers can fear no more.

In our interview, director Sam Raimi assured me that you cannot ruin a classic. He carefully crafted a film that can be proud to serve as a prequel to such a renowned movie. It uses all the great elements of its predecessor to build something new.

This prequel follows young Oscar, better known as the magician Oz (James Franco). At the beginning of his struggling career as a trickster, chance takes him to the magical Land of Oz. There he meets three witches: Theodora (Mila Kunis), her sister Evanora (Rachel Weisz), and Glinda (Michelle Williams).

With the help of an assistant monkey named Finley (Zach Braff) and an adorable China Girl (Joey King), Oz gets a chance to transform himself. He strives to become a better man by helping the people in this land.

A Visual Homage to 1939

The film utilizes an enchanting contrast. It begins with black and white in a realistic setting and changes to bright colors once we reach the Land of Oz. The 3D effects captivate the audience, making adults fall in love with Oz all over again.

One of the smartest moves involves using ingredients from the previous film such as the hot air balloon and the yellow brick road. These elements set a tone of familiarity. The script incorporates what we know of the land as well as new additions, adding substance and likability.

Admittedly, the movie reaches its PG audience at points where it gets a bit childish. It is a family movie after all. While some parts feel rushed and others prolonged, the nods to the original make these flaws easy to overlook.

Casting the Wizard

Franco’s character is layered. He goes from being a trickster to being a decent human with ease. Williams is so sweet you might get a toothache just from looking at her, fulfilling her character’s intent perfectly.

Weisz projects a mysterious atmosphere, though her performance is a little over the top at times. She remains a good representation of a typical Disney character. Kunis really stands out with her innocence, though that fades once she begins to throw tantrums.

Her high pitch voice (à la Meg Griffin) goes along with her character development. My favorite character is Finley the flying monkey. He is delightfully hilarious and sets the tone in every scene he steals.

The China Girl is so cute that audiences will want to buy the merchandise immediately. Honestly, I did not think they were going to be able to pull it off. They completely surprised me.

Thanks to an amazing cast and director, this movie went beyond expectations. There are some parts that might be scary for younger kids, so keep them close. It is no wonder this became the biggest hit of 2013 for a time.

Can It Stand Alone?

If you have never seen the original, this movie is capable of standing alone. Even the introduction in the circus setting looks beautiful in 3D. The film is bewitching in its entirety.

Exploring the yellow brick road to Emerald City once more is bound to take you back to your childhood. You will be happy to share this story of love and friendship with your children. It delivers on the promise shown in the first trailer from Disney.