Oz the Great and Powerful 2013

In the dusty heartland of Kansas, 1905 unfolds in monochromatic tones as Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a charismatic but struggling illusionist, navigates the meager existence of a traveling circus performer. His aspirations for greatness are constantly thwarted by his lackluster illusions and threadbare attire, leaving him perpetually on the brink of financial ruin. Meanwhile, Frank (Zach Braff), Oscar’s dependable assistant, bursts into their caravan, interrupting the magician’s flirtatious advances toward May (Abigail Spencer), a winsome newcomer to the circus.

As Oscar attempts to woo May with a sentimental token - an antique music box purportedly passed down from his great-grandmother - Frank reminds him that it’s showtime. He hands over the day’s meager earnings, a worn hat filled with coins, and Oscar reluctantly sets aside a few quarters for his trusty sidekick. The tension between them is palpable as Frank visibly bristles at Oscar’s callous treatment.

The curtain rises on the magic show, and Oscar strides onto the stage, resplendent in his exotic regalia - a mystical robe and turban that evoke the mystique of far-off lands. A young girl in a wheelchair (Joey King) watches with rapt attention as Oscar summons a volunteer to participate in his mesmerizing spectacle. Hands shoot up from the audience, but none belong to May, Oscar’s carefully selected assistant and unwitting accomplice. With an air of expectation, he calls upon May to join him on stage, leaving the crowd bewildered by her unexpected participation.

Behind the scenes, Frank expertly executes the practical effects that bring Oscar’s illusions to life: conjuring music, triggering pyrotechnics, and orchestrating the elaborate finale. On stage, Oscar places May into a deep slumber, only to have her unconscious form seemingly defy gravity as she floats in mid-air, entrancing the audience with his most convincing illusion yet.

The air is electric with tension as a chorus of disbelieving voices erupts from the audience: “I see a wire!” The lights shine brightly, illuminating two starkly visible wires suspending May’s lifeless form from the ceiling. In response, Oz nonchalantly retrieves a scimitar from Frank and, with a flourish, expertly severs the wires… only to reveal that May remains suspended in mid-air. The crowd is stunned into silence as Oz, unfazed, dramatically reveals the truth by yanking off the silk sheet, exposing the empty space where May’s body once lay. The audience erupts into thunderous applause, with Oz basking in the adoration and “Bravos!” before a lone voice pierces the euphoria: “Make me walk!”

The spotlight shifts to a small, determined figure in the front row, wheelchair-bound and resolute in her plea: “Please, Wizard. Make me walk!” Oz, caught off guard by the unscripted request, falters in his response, uttering only a hollow phrase: “I’m not that kind of wizard, kid.” The crowd’s approval swiftly turns to outrage, showering Oz with popcorn and peanut shells as he hastily orders Frank to close the curtains.

Meanwhile, outside the big top, the traveling circus crew scrambles to pack up their gear amidst a backdrop of foreboding gray clouds. Frank pulls Oz aside to remind him that Annie (Michelle Williams), an old flame, is waiting for him in his caravan – not May, as he had assumed. Annie’s presence serves as a painful reminder of Oz’s philandering ways, which have irreparably damaged any chance at rekindling their romance. As the dust settles, another woman, a brunette roughly the same age as May, bursts forth from a nearby tent, clutching a music box identical to the one Oz had given her. The revelation that Oz has used and discarded her is all too clear.

As the commotion dies down, a towering figure bursts forth from the tent, fueled by fury and vengeance. The husband, a force to be reckoned with, is hot on Oz’s heels, accompanied by his clownish sidekick. Together, they wreak havoc on Oz’s caravan, sending walls crashing down as they give chase across the fairground. In a daring move, Oz seizes the opportunity to slip aboard a waiting hot air balloon and make his escape from the wrathful husband. As he soars away, Frank tosses him his hat and magic bag, filled with an assortment of illusionary tools, a symbol of their shared profession. From up high, Oz bears witness to the chaos below as the circus folk flee in terror. His gaze then falls upon a massive tornado, its vortex pulling him inexorably towards it. With a sense of trepidation, Oz secures himself tightly within the balloon’s basket as the storm rages on, threatening to impale them at every turn.

After surviving multiple close calls with disaster, the balloon and Oz finally emerge from the twister’s grasp, finding themselves transported to the vibrant, Technicolor world of Oz. With a mix of relief and disorientation, they narrowly avoid crashing into the surrounding mountains before the balloon takes a wild ride through a raging river of rapids. Oz’s unceremonious landing in the shallow waters is followed by his dazed discovery of himself surrounded by gigantic, sentient plants and mischievous fairies, their tiny legs tapping away at his own. As he calls out for aid, a vision of loveliness emerges from the underbrush - Theodora (Mila Kunis), a ravishing young woman dressed in black slacks, a crisp white blouse, and a striking maroon jacket, topped with a sun hat that commands attention.

As Oz’s silver tongue weaves its magic, Theodora finds herself entranced by his charismatic persona. He introduces himself as Oz, and she is stunned; a prophecy had foretold the return of a wizard named Oz to save their land from the Wicked Witch. With a wink, Oz quips that all witches must be green-skinned, warted, and broom-riding, prompting Theodora to retort, “But I’m a witch.” She enlightens Oz on the distinction between benevolent and malevolent sorcery, proudly declaring herself a force for good.

Meanwhile, ominous growls emanate from the forest’s depths, signaling the approach of the Wicked Witch’s minions. Recognizing the threat, Theodora swiftly ushers Oz into an alcove, where they observe a terrifying winged howler monkey swooping in to search for them. Thinking on his feet, Oz retrieves a white dove from his top hat and releases it into the air, distracting the monkey and allowing the pair to make their escape. As they begin their journey to the Emerald City, Oz’s charms continue to captivate Theodora.

In time, she finds herself smitten with the charismatic wizard. She reveals that as the new Wizard of Oz, he will soon ascend to the throne, and if he permits, she will be his queen. As a token of his affection, Oz presents Theodora with a wooden music box – an item he has gifted to many other ladies in his past. Hand in hand, they stroll towards the Emerald City when suddenly, they encounter a winged Capuchin monkey, clad in a blue bellhop uniform and cap, ensnared in a deadly tangle of man-eating plants. Theodora implores Oz to help the struggling creature, Finley (voiced by Zach Braff), who finds himself freed from his predicament thanks to Oz’s chivalrous intervention.

As Oz’s perception of his surroundings shifts, he discovers that the plants were merely a precursor to a far more formidable menace: a majestic lion, poised to strike with deadly precision. Without hesitation, Oz rummages through his jacket pocket and unleashes a cache of powder onto the ground, conjuring a thick veil of crimson smoke that sends the lion fleeing in terror. Theodora, now convinced of Oz’s authenticity as the prophesied wizard, wraps him in a fervent embrace. Finley, grateful for Oz’s timely intervention, proffers his servitude to Oz, bound by ancient customs to obey his every command without question. However, Oz quickly dispels Finley’s illusions, revealing himself to be nothing more than a cunning con artist relying on illusions and tricks to maintain his charade. Though Finley is disheartened by this revelation, he chooses to keep it hidden from Theodora, instead accepting Oz’s heavy bag and following him with resignation.

As they journey onward, the trio encounters a grand procession of horses and soldiers marching along the yellow-brick road. At its helm stands Knuck, a skeptical leader who refuses to acknowledge Oz as the great wizard proclaimed by Theodora. Oz responds to Knuck’s doubts with disdainful condescension, labeling him a “sour puss” and commanding obedience from his subjects. With a flourish, Oz and Theodora ascend into a carriage, whisked away to the fabled Emerald City. Within its gleaming walls, Theodora introduces Oz to her sister Evanora, a stunning young witch adorned with a vibrant green sapphire necklace. As Oz demonstrates a lack of reverence for the throne room’s majesty, Evanora chides Theodora for her gullibility in believing Oz was the prophesied wizard. Though she remains skeptical, Evanora agrees to humor Oz until she can uncover the truth behind his dubious claims.

As Evanora leads Oz through the vault of the King of Oz, the air is thick with an intoxicating aroma of wealth and power. Gold coins glint like stars in the dimly lit chamber, while Evanora’s solemn demeanor serves as a stark reminder that this treasure trove belongs to the ruler they both seek to serve - or rather, serve at the behest of. Oz’s initial euphoria gives way to trepidation as he contemplates the weight of kingship, only for Evanora to ease his concerns with a reassuring whisper: destroying the Wicked Witch’s wand is all that stands between him and the throne. Emboldened by this revelation, Oz readies himself for the task ahead, accompanied by Finley.

Their quest takes them into the foreboding dark woods, where they stumble upon a town that seems to have been shattered from within - literally. Porcelain houses resembling gargantuan teapots, porcelain trees that seem to mock their own fragility, and residents frozen in perpetual terror create an unsettling tableau. The air is heavy with sorrow as they hear the pitiful cries of a tiny, injured girl emerging from one of the few remaining structures. Inside, they find the China Girl (Joey King), her delicate form mangled beyond recognition, her once-beautiful legs now separated from her body. Oz’s compassion and quick thinking combine to repair the child’s shattered limbs with a small vial of instant-dry glue, allowing her to take her first tentative steps.

As she expresses her gratitude, the trio comes to a crossroads - a literal fork in the road, where the path to the Emerald City diverges from that leading deeper into the dark woods. Oz instructs the China Girl to proceed to Evanora’s chambers and convey his message of friendship, but her response is immediate and adamant: she refuses to abandon Oz, for he is the sole remaining connection to her shattered family and friends, now reduced to nothing more than broken fragments. Moved by her determination, Oz permits the China Girl to accompany them into the treacherous darkness that lies ahead.

In the depths of the foreboding Dark Woods, the trio’s trepidation is palpable as they navigate through a twisted landscape of violent flora, their every step fraught with peril. The air thickens as they stumble upon a morbid cemetery, where a hooded figure, shrouded in mystery, attempts to infiltrate. Finley’s cunning distraction tactics momentarily divert the figure’s attention, allowing Oz to sneak up and claim the wand, his intentions clearly aimed at destruction. However, a soft, ethereal voice intervenes, halting Oz’s plans.

The hooded figure dramatically lifts her veil, revealing the stunning visage of Annie (Michelle Williams in a dual role), none other than Glinda, the benevolent sorceress of the South. With an air of calm authority, she discloses the truth: Evanora, the Wicked Witch, has returned to Oz with a sinister agenda. Years ago, Evanora had murdered their father, the King, and sought to rule uncontested. When rumors spread about the Wizard’s potential return, Evanora vowed to eliminate Glinda and then claim the throne for herself.

Glinda, aware of Evanora’s treachery, fled the Emerald City and devoted herself to tending her father’s grave. Meanwhile, back in the palace, Evanora was consumed by rage as she beheld her failed attempt to kill Glinda through dark magic. Her wrath sparked a series of events that saw her dispatching armies to eliminate Oz and Glinda.

As our quartet - Oz, Glinda, Finley, and China Girl - convenes in the graveyard, they’re alerted to the approaching thunder of boots, heralding the arrival of Evanora’s ruthless forces. With an air of desperation, Glinda implores Oz to conjure some form of magical intervention to repel the invaders. Oz, an illusionist with a dubious track record, defers to Glinda, relinquishing control as she weaves her magic. Her wand crackles to life, summoning a thick, impenetrable fog that blinds and disorients Evanora’s army of Winkies and baboons.

As the quartet teeters at the edge of a precipice, their precarious perch over a seemingly bottomless abyss forces Glinda into a desperate leap. With Finley and China Girl following suit, Oz brings up the rear as the group disappears from view in a spectacular display of floating soap bubbles. The trajectory of their journey becomes apparent when Oz spots a tiny city encased within a gargantuan, soapy sphere hovering in the distance.

Glinda’s explanation reveals that this mystical bubble is a protective barrier, shielding its inhabitants from those harboring malevolent intentions. However, Oz’s own dubious nature and malicious inclinations render him uncertain about his ability to breach this sanctum. After several failed attempts to squeeze through the barrier, he finally manages to slip inside.

Meanwhile, in Emerald City, Evanora seethes with discontent at Oz and Glinda’s narrow escape from her clutches. She concocts a plan of deception, summoning Theodora into her chambers and producing a small wooden music box eerily similar to one Oz had given the latter. Theodora’s heart is pierced by what she perceives as Oz’s betrayal, leading her to retreat to her quarters, where tears of sorrow etch permanent scars onto her skin.

Glinda introduces Oz to the inhabitants of the idyllic city within the bubble – farmers, tinkerers, and merry munchkins, all living in blissful ignorance. They are ecstatic to encounter the legendary wizard, Oz, whose reputation has preceded him. However, as Oz confides in Glinda about his true nature – a charlatan, an illusionist with no genuine magical prowess – he discovers that she is aware of his deception.

Glinda’s knowledge predated their meeting, but her decision to keep this secret reflects her understanding that the townspeople do not need to be informed. With newfound confidence, Oz dons a cloak of authority, convincingly portraying himself as the prophesied wizard destined to vanquish the Wicked Witch and restore balance to the land.

As Theodora’s ire against Oz reaches a fever pitch, her countenance bears testament to the depth of her wrath: her face, ravaged by acid burns, is a twisted reflection of her inner turmoil. Evanora, now the dominant force in Theodora’s psyche, orchestrates her pawn’s transformation into an instrument of destruction, fueled by a desire for vengeance against Oz. With calculated malice, Evanora produces a small, emerald-green apple, its juicy flesh imbued with dark magic, and convinces Theodora to take a bite. As the potent fruit courses through her veins, Theodora’s physical form begins to warp and contort, her skin darkening, her voice deepening, and her stature growing taller and more menacing.

Donning a black-brimmed hat, Theodora’s maniacal laughter echoes through the land as she summons forth a foreboding storm cloud above Glinda and Oz’s tranquil town. A burning light at the cloud’s center, fueled by malevolent energy, pounds relentlessly against the protective barrier surrounding the city, gradually weakening its defenses. With one final, decisive blow, the bubble shatters like fragile glass, allowing the red-hot beam to pierce the heart of the town square. From the smoldering crater, a glowing figure emerges: Theodora, transfigured into a wretched, green-skinned crone clad in black finery, her eyes blazing with an unholy intensity.

With cackling glee, she confronts Oz, her words dripping with venomous malice as she proclaims herself the true embodiment of wickedness, forged by his treachery. Seizing a broom from a hapless townsfolk, Theodora vanishes into the night, leaving behind a trail of sulfurous smoke that chokes the air. Amidst the chaos, Glinda frantically searches for Oz, only to find him hastily packing his bags in preparation for a precipitous departure. With words of encouragement and reassurance, she endeavors to boost Oz’s confidence, urging him to transcend his doubts about his magical abilities.

Through introspection and contemplation, Oz crafts a plan of action, gathering the town’s most intelligent and stalwart residents around him. The Master Tinker (Bill Cobbs), a mastermind of innovation, and his team of skilled artisans join forces with Oz, combining their collective genius to devise an elaborate illusion designed to deceive Theodora and Evanora. Under Oz’s guidance, the townspeople construct intricate mechanisms, creating a cinematic projector, a potent explosive, and finally, a majestic hot-air balloon. With the balloon’s existence carefully concealed from prying eyes, Oz and Glinda conspire to outmaneuver their foes, forging a battle plan that will determine the fate of their besieged town.

As the adventurers peruse a meticulously crafted map of the fabled Emerald City and its surrounding territories, Oz’s calculating gaze scans the landscape, seeking an advantageous entry point. Glinda, however, cautions against traversing the seemingly idyllic Poppy fields, revealing that their intoxicating spores would induce an inescapable slumber upon inhalation. Undeterred, Oz conjures a plan to utilize this very vulnerability. Meanwhile, Glinda divulges her connections within the city, hinting at a potential inside man.

The clandestine assault on Emerald City commences, with Oz, Knuck (a.k.a. Sour Puss), and a contingent of munchkins donning disguises and slipping past an unsuspecting Winkie Gate Keeper (Bruce Campbell). Under the guise of innocuous travelers, they guide their carriage, replete with projection equipment and Oz’s trusty balloon, into the heart of the city.

As they navigate the city streets, Oz severs himself from the group, balloon in tow, and makes a beeline for the King’s vault. With calculated precision, he begins filling the hot-air balloon’s basket to the brim with gold. Meanwhile, Finley, Knuck, and the enigmatic Master Tinker remain oblivious to Oz’s betrayal, choosing instead to press forward with their plan.

Simultaneously, Glinda wields her magical prowess, unleashing a shroud of thick fog across the cityscape. Theodora and Evanora, momentarily distracted by the eerie veil, unwittingly invite an army of mechanical scarecrows to march into the heart of Emerald City. As the fog clears, it becomes apparent that these marionettes are mere constructs of the townspeople, armed with hay-filled bellies.

The baboons, dispatched by Theodora and Evanora to repel this mechanical menace, instead find themselves pummeled by the scarecrows’ hay-filled bodies. The majority of the troop succumbs to the sweet slumber induced by the poppy field’s intoxicating spores, leaving the city precariously vulnerable.

As the townspeople retreat into the surrounding woods, a few conscious baboons give chase. Glinda finds herself taken hostage by these very creatures, prompting her to release her wand into the heart of the city. Evanora, in turn, searches the grassy expanse for the lost artifact, but is thwarted by the cunning China Girl’s intervention.

As Evanora descends upon Emerald City, she reunites with Theodora at the heart of the metropolis. The duo converges upon Glinda, who hangs suspended between two wooden posts, her slender form a stark contrast to the ominous atmosphere. The citizens of Oz’s fabled city watch in horror as Evanora and Theodora unleash their wrath upon Glinda, bombarding her with green lightning and blazing red fire. Meanwhile, above the tumultuous scene, Oz’s majestic hot air balloon floats serenely across the sky.

Evanora’s gaze fixes upon the balloon, her eyes flashing with indignation as she reveals Oz’s true nature: a charlatan attempting to abscond with Emerald City’s riches rather than defend its people as prophesied. With a fierce cry, Evanora unleashes a blast of fire that shatters the balloon, sending its precious cargo plummeting towards the ground in a massive plume of dark smoke. Glinda, shocked by Oz’s sudden demise, dissolves into tears, her spirit shattered by the revelation.

In the midst of this chaos, a booming voice echoes through the city, as if borne on the very winds of fate. Oz’s ghostly visage materializes atop the smoke column, his ethereal form radiating an aura of otherworldly power. With an air of solemnity, he explains that his passing has been necessary for him to fulfill his true destiny: becoming the one true Wizard of Oz, invincible and all-powerful.

Theodora and Evanora stand agape, their anger and confusion frozen in place as they confront the specter of Oz’s unyielding power. Frustrated by their inability to affect Oz’s ghostly form, they launch a barrage of lightning bolts and fireballs, only to watch them dissipate harmlessly into the air.

As the townspeople of Emerald City begin to turn on Glinda, Evanora seizes the opportunity to slip away, abandoning Theodora to face the wrath of the populace alone. Oz, meanwhile, orchestrates a dazzling spectacle from within his caravan, projecting an elaborate illusion onto the dark smoke that has engulfed the city. This ruse provides the perfect diversion for the China Girl, who secretly hands Glinda her wand and enables her to break free from her restraints.

With Glinda liberated, she sets out to rally the people of Emerald City against their tormentors, even as a colossal, floating head appears in the sky above. Evanora, meanwhile, retreats to the castle, leaving Theodora to face the consequences of Oz’s sudden and mysterious demise.

As Theodora flees on her broom, pursued by a hail of fireworks from Oz’s vengeful minions, she vows to return and exact her revenge upon the Wizard who has wronged her. Meanwhile, Evanora finds herself confronted by Glinda within the castle walls, the two women locked in a fierce struggle that rages across both ground and air.

Their battle reaches its climax as Evanora grasps for Glinda’s throat, only to find her own chest seized in response. The two women plummet to the ground, their attacks rebounding off one another with a ferocity that leaves them battered and bruised.

In the aftermath of their titanic struggle, Evanora finds herself stripped of her powers, the source of her magic – an emerald necklace – shattered into a thousand pieces at her feet.

As Evanora’s majestic countenance suddenly gives way to grotesque decrepitude, the once-vibrant beauty dissolves into a wretched hag, beset by withered skin, long and grimy fingernails, and a gaunt visage. The true Evanora, now an ancient crone, lunges at Glinda (Brie Larson) with a ferocity that belies her age, but the latter, wielding her trusty wand like a sword, repels the attack with ease, sending the hag crashing through the castle window to be swooped up by a pair of aerial baboons. As they carry her off into the night, the darkness seems to swallow her whole.

The next morning, the Emerald City awakens from its slumber, finally free from Evanora’s tyranny. Glinda enters the throne room, where she’s met by the ethereal presence of Oz (Joel Grey), his smoky form hovering above the throne like a ghostly apparition. Finley (Sammy Cohen) hastens to secure the door, while China Girl and Knuck (A.K.A. Sour Puss) draw the curtains shut, once the coast is clear. As the room falls silent, Master Tinker (Michael K. Williams) discreetly disengages the mechanism, allowing Oz to emerge in all his physical glory.

As a token of gratitude for their unwavering dedication, Oz bestows upon each of them a unique gift. For Master Tinker, it’s a Swiss-army knife, complete with a fork and spoon, an instrument of versatility that mirrors his own resourcefulness. Knuck, the erstwhile Sour Puss, receives a novelty mask adorned with a painted smile, a symbol of his newfound capacity for joy. Finley is gifted Oz’s cherished top hat, along with the wizard’s enduring friendship. China Girl finds solace in Oz’s offer to become her new family, while Glinda is treated to a show of affection as Oz plants a resounding kiss on her lips, his magic infusing the moment with an unmistakable sense of wonder and enchantment.