‘Oz: the Great and Powerful’ is an American fantasy adventure film directed by Legendary Hollywood director Sam Raimi, the maker of ‘The Evil Dead’. The film is inspired by L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ and stars James Franco, Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams, Bruce Campbell and Rachel Weisz.

The Story – Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with doubtful ethics, travels from dusty Kansas to the exciting Land of Oz. At first he thinks he is the best over there, but when comes across with three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz), and Glinda (Michelle Williams), he finds himself embarrassed as a magician in that wonderland. But finally he transforms himself not only into the great and powerful Wizard of Oz but into a better man as well.

The film has been released by Walt Disney Pictures in traditional 2D, as well as in the Disney Digital 3D, RealD 3D and IMAX 3D formats.

‘Oz: the Great and Powerful’ is a $200 million budget Hollywood movie (Rs. 1100 crore apprx.) where unlike other contemporary films, practical sets were used during the shoot in combination with the computer-generated imagery during filming. Physical sets were constructed so the actors could have a visual reference, as opposed to using green screen technology for every scene and ‘Chroma’ key compositing was only used for background pieces.

Coming to performances, James Franco was not so good. Mila Kunis tries her best but offers an average performance but unexpectedly Rachel Weisz and Michelle Williams steal the show, whose performances are way better than this film deserved.

In music, Danny Elfman has used the traditional approach but newly-fashioned. In fact simultaneously with the scenes, the music tells the story to the audience too; it seems from the music.

In cinematography, there are no words to praise, since the work is equipped with the most cutting –edge shooting and graphics technology. The outcome is outstanding at the end.

TNI Rating – *** (3) Stars out of 5.