Disney’s fantastical adventure “Oz The Great and Powerful,” directed by Sam Raimi, imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum’s beloved wizard character. When Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he’s hit the jackpot-fame and fortune are his for the taking-that is until 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 wizard but into a better man as well. When small-time magician Oscar Diggs (James Franco) pulls one flimflam too many, he finds himself hurled into the fantastical Land of Oz where he must somehow transform himself into the great wizard-and just maybe into a better man as well. — (C) Walt Disney

I love Baum’s Wizard of Oz books and the original Wizard of Oz film. I was excited to see this new Disney interpretation and twist on it. Disney definitely pays homage to the original movie but definitely make this movie their own. This movie reminded me a lot of Disney’s Alice in Wonderland that was released a couple of years ago only with a Wizard of Oz theme. But I still really liked Oz the Great and Powerful.

Visually, this movie was absolutely stunning. The colors were visual and vibrant from the flowers to Glinda’s bubbles. Many of the computer animated characters looked amazing as well, especially the China Girl doll. I really loved watching the movie in 3D as well and it probably is one of the best 3D movies I have seen in awhile.

I feel that this movie was cast very well. I really enjoyed all of the ladies that played the 3 witches of Oz. I feel like they really committed themselves to their roles. I really liked the voice talents of Joey King and Zach Braff as China Girl and Finley. They both provided many of the comic relief moments in the film.

I really liked the music in the movie. As soon as the music started to play, I immediately recognized it as a Danny Elfman score. I love Danny Elfman’s music so I may be a bit biased in this area though. I felt that he had the perfect musical tone in every moment of the film.

I will say that this movie is going to be scary for little kids. I think that the flying monkeys in the original are creepy but the new ones in this movie (they are more like flying baboons) are really frightening. The wicked witch in this movie is pretty creepy as well. When I was previewing this movie, a little boy in front of me told his grown up that he was scared. Older children will probably be alright but I would leave the little kids home.

I really like Oz the Great and Powerful and I can definitely recommend it, especially in 3D.