Oz the Great and Powerful

It’s been 74 years since the release of The Wizard of Oz, and director Sam Raimi (Spiderman) and company are exploring its title character, pre-Dorothy and gang. Struggling magician/con-artist/womanizer Oscar “Oz” Diggs (James Franco) isn’t living up to his “great” potential, working the circus scene in Podunk, Kansas. So when a tornado sweeps him away to the land of Oz, where the inhabitants believe that he’s their awaited wizard, he goes with it. With the help of Glinda The Good Witch (a sappy Michelle Williams), this amateur hero attempts to save the citizens of Emerald City from the wicked sister witches (Rachel Weisz and Mila Kunis). There’s plenty of visual oohing and ahhing to be had, but the fun stops there. The dialogue falls flat and the mediocre acting does little to save it. Keep traveling down that yellow brick road. Cinemark 14, Feather River Cinemas and Paradise Cinema 7. Rated PG.