Movie Review: Oz the Great and Powerful [VIDEO]

James Franco plays a con-man and small-time magician who gets supernaturally transported to a land we all know so well in Oz the Great and Powerful. When he arrives he is scrutinized by three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz), and Glinda the Good (Michelle Williams).
Is he the REAL wizard of Oz ? He'll have to hit the yellow brick road with his flying monkey to retrieve the wicked witch's magic wand in order to make things right.

The flash and dazzle of the movie are pretty eye popping. 3D cinema was made for this kind of movie. The colorful concept and the psychedelic effects did take their toll on these eyes, as the movie tended to run a little long.

The flick-o-meter gives Oz the Great and Powerful a three out of five.

This film is directed by the very accomplished Sam Raimi but his cinematic magic falls flat for this film.  It's visually appealing but that is about it. The only other movie to compare it to is...well, that other OZ movie we all know so well and, it's not in the same league as that classic.

In the origina,l Dorothy sang "We are off to see the Wizard" with such enthusiasm, that same optimism won't  apply here.

Is he or isn't he the wizard ? We are asked the question over and over and over again in this two-hour movie.

Other than the impressive visuals, it never makes a good case to justify its existence. That's just my opinion, tell me what you think.