Oz the Great and Powerful

"Nothing's impossible."

Oscar (James Franco) is a carnival magician, a self-proclaimed conman, who finds himself caught in a tornado and swept to a bright and enchanting world named Oz.  But Oz is haunted by a dark and dangerous witch, and the faux wizard is drawn into an elaborate act of deception.

Opening with beautiful titles and a monochrome sequence, Oz the Great and Powerful is a delicious fusion of classic and contemporary with lovely nostalgic touches to the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz.  Sam Raimi's new vision of Oz is Wonderland-esque, with bright flowers, top hats and tea cups.  Set to an enchanting Danny Elfman score, the film also features a selection of beautiful costumes: a blend of late-victorian, fairy tale and contemporary style.

The film's prominent theme is illusion and the power to deceive, whether antagonistically or heroically.   This is personified by the 'wizard', whose existence thrives on his charm and deception.  However, the cast's performances balance precariously in a curious stasis between juvenile and maturity.  They contest with adult themes of seduction, yet prominently deliver childlike reactions to situations; as though ever so slightly uncertain as to who their audience exactly is.

With lovely allusions to the original film, Oz the Great and Powerful is a good prequel to The Wizard of Oz; but does not entirely capture the timeless enchantment of the original classic.