Parent’s Guide: Oz the Great and Powerful Review

ByJanel
144 Comments

Oz the Great and Powerful

Oz the Great and Powerful – Available June 11, 2013

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鈥檚 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鈥檚 been expecting.聽 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 a great wizard but into a better man as well.

Movie Review & Parent’s Guide

When Oz the Great and Powerful trailer first came out it looked like such a fun movie. With four little boys at home all under the age of seven, the first question I had as a parent was if this movie would be appropriate for young children.

The film is rated PG but I knew the storyline might portray some intense scenes from the witches and flying monkeys that are part of the world of Oz. My husband and I decided to watch it ourselves first and see what we thought before introducing the film for movie night.

I will warn you, I do talk about the plot and storyline to a degree below so keep that in mind if you don’t like any type of spoiler.

The introduction of the movie starts in you in a black and white world in the states following a shady magician as he tries to woe some of the ladies. It was an interesting introduction for adults, but young kids wouldn’t be enthralled with the story through the beginning and even the magic acts lack a lot of awe to draw them in and get them interested in the story.

A bit into the movie the tornado strikes and this scene is very loud and might be scary and certainly confusing for young kids. Next, you are taken into the amazing and beautiful world of Oz!

Once you enter this part of the movie there is so much imagination, color, and slew of interesting characters that kids will really love the world that was created! There are a few parts through the storyline that might cause a few jumps and the witch and flying monkeys can be a bit intense.

I think this movie is ideal for ages 10 and up and for younger children that may not mind loud or intense scenes. Children under six will likely be scared at many of the action scenes that take place.

Still, this can be a fun movie to enjoy with your kids if you pass by until after the tornado hits and skip the scene with the flying monkeys and you’ll still be able to catch the bulk of the storyline with even your youngest children.

Movie Review for Parents

Did we enjoy the movie? Absolutely! I felt like Oz the Great and Powerful was made to try to impress a 3D audience at some of the parts but it was still really great to watch just on blu-ray without 3D and the gorgeous scenes made you feel like you were right there with the cast. I really loved the magician Oscar, or “Oz”, ability to think on the spot and create illusions to solve the conflicts in the story.

Oz Characters and Costumes!

The story of Oz the Great and Powerful introduces you to the three main Oz characters – the three witch sisters. Disney has shared some of their original sketch art on dreaming up how these sisters should look as well as a picture of their character from the movie.

Each of the characters was represented so well throughout the film that I thought I would share these pictures with you. Since their names are unique and felt pretty similar it was easy to get each of the sisters names confused.

Oz Characters Thedora Costume

Oz Characters Evanora Costume

Oz Characters Glinda Costume

Oz the Great and Powerful was released on June 11, 2013.

Which is your favorite of the three witches?聽

I received a copy of Oz the Great and Powerful blu-ray combo pack in exchange for this post. The opinions expressed above are my own. Any claims should be verified on the sponsor’s site.


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144 Comments

  2. I think anything that stimulates someone’s imagination is fine…including OZ. Thanks so much for the opportunity to win.

  5. I think Oz if fine for kids to watch and I like Glinda the most.

  6. I love Glinda the most! I remember when the actress that paly her was on a soap opera ~I think she was the orginal Carly on General hospital. Yes, I think Oz is ok for kids. There are a few times that younger children should not watch but overall it’s a good msg. !

  7. I haven’t seen this movie yet but my daughter has been asking to see it!

  11. I haven’t seen he movie yet and don’t know if Oz is appropriate for kids.

  16. I like Theodora even though she may not be the “good” witch she was not always bad.

  17. I like Glinda, and I think the movie is okay for kids to watch with their parents, but it is not geared toward children

  20. I think glinda was my favorite, and i think the movie is appropriate with adult supervision, as with any movie.

  24. Since I have not seen this movie yet, these are difficult questions to answer This appears to be a kid friendly movie…not sure which witch is my favorite…yet. 馃檪 Thank you.

  25. Glinda is my favorite. i loved watching wizard of oz when i was a kid but i havent seen oz yet

  29. I think it was appropriate for children. There were parts that were a little scary but not too bad.

  30. I took my 6 year old son to watch this movie by his request, he preferred to watch it over The Croods and Escape From Planet Earth! He loved it and I did too!!
    priscillavbenavides at yahoo dotcom

  35. Unfortunately I haven’t seen it yet, so I’m not sure who would be my favorite or if it’s appropriate for kids. I would probably do the same as you did. Watch it first before I let my daughter see it.

  39. I saw the movie myself and liked it but I think or very little kids it might be a little scary.

  40. in original i like glinda, haven’t seen this version yet…and my sons are older and not sure if they would want to see this, but i do!

  43. Glinda the Good Witch is my favorite my Oz…the original movie has been one Ive loved since I was a child and Im sure my kids will love Oz 馃檪

  45. In this movie, I loved Theodora. In the original, I liked Glenda. We didn’t let our boys watch because they are both under 6. I think the monkeys and the end would have given them nightmares.

    Thanks

  47. I like Glenda.. the good witch! I haven’t yet seen the movie but my 9 year old would probably enjoy it

  49. I haven’t seen this movie but really want to. I think it’s appropriate for kids but it would really depend on your child. My 2 year old daughter isn’t ready for it but I look forward to watching movies like this with her. My 12 year old stepson is old enough but wouldn’t be interested in seeing it.

  50. I grew up on The Original Wizard of Oz and so did my daughter. I have not seen Oz the Great and Powerful but from the previews the flying monkeys look more like demons from hell.Witches,well I will always be a fan of Glenda the Good Witch.

  51. I love The Original Wizard of Oz and watch with my kids. Oz I am uncertain as of now.

  52. My 3 & 5 year old saw the Original Wizard of Oz a while ago but I had to fast forward through some parts. I think this version is probably more for teenagers or adults, but I won’t know for sure until I have seen it. It looks good though!

  56. I don’t think Oz is any worse than many of the other things that kids these days watch.

  57. I haven’t seen this yet, but have really wanted to. I enjoy the comments to see what other parents think, since we have a 6 year old and have debated whether we want her to see this.

  59. I like the good witch. I think it depends on the age of the child when it comes to any movie.

  61. i did not get to see this, but i wanted to. think is a little scary to little kids, but great movie, love the good witch, glinda

  62. I saw this movie in 3D and loved it! It was a little intense, so I’m not sure if it’s appropriate for kids. I think it would be good for older kids and adults. Theodora is my favorite witch!

  63. We watched it my 7 yr old was a little scared of the witch I love Glinda,and feel bad for Theodora

  64. the flying monkeys in the original movie used to scare me as a kid! i’m interested to see the new version

  65. Glinda is my favorite! I also thought it was appropriate for my 9 year old… a bit scarey for my 5 year old!

  66. I don’t think it’s inappropriate for kids. The only thing that slightly bothered our child was the flying monkeys, but he really just LOVED the movie!

  68. I don’t know of I would let my younger ones watch it yet; it scared me as a kid! lol

  69. I have an 11 yr old and haven’t seen the movie yet, but she watches the Wizard of Oz every year with me and hasn’t been scared at all…so this would probably be ok as well.

  70. I watched The Wizard of Oz every year, starting at a very early age. I do think that there are parts of the story that can scare a young child. I was terrified of tornadoes (and still am) and the movie was the first introduction of them to me. It was kind of a hate/LOVE relationship with the movie as I knew I’d have nightmares after watching it, I loved the story so much and some of the characters that I just couldn’t stay away!

  71. My kids LOVE this film! I wasn’t too sure at first but the amount they have gone on about it, its an obvious winner. 馃檪

  72. I think it would be okay for the older children in there teens not sure about younger than that!

  73. We saw this and loved it. It was different. I think it’s good for the kids.

  75. Glinda has always been a favorite of mine, but I haven’t seen this one yet, so I’m not sure if that would change.

  76. Theodora was my favorite witch, I let my six year old watch it. She liked it a lot although some parts were scary to her.

  77. I’ve not seen this one, so I really can’t say it is or not for kids. I would love to see it.

  78. I haven’t seen it yet. I think if a child is older, it would be ok. I got a little scared at the Wizard of Oz they played every year when the monkey were proctecting the wicked witch. Sounds like it’s a different take on the movie and I’m anxious to see it. Thanks for the chance.
    [email protected]

  80. I haven’t seen this film, but if I had kids, I would let them watch it. Plus, Theodora is my favorite witch, because she is a little more complex.

  85. i haven’t seen this movie yet, but i would guess it can’t be too scary for kids because they are probably hoping that they will be a big part of the audience (with their parents).

  86. subscribe email: slehandwc at gmail dot com

    I wish the RC form would let me indicate which email I want to/already do subscribe instead of automatically sending it.

  87. Theodora is my favorite and I think it is appropriate for kids. My boys saw it and loved it.

  88. Evanora looks good to me. Haven’t seen the movie and will enjoy it when I win it.

    Thanks for the contest.

    slehan at juno dot com

  89. I haven’t seen the movie but a looking forward to it. I would l=think it wouldn’t be enjoyable for younger children.

  90. I think it’s appropriate for older kids, my daughter is 12 and she watched and and wasn’t scared..I love Glinda the good witch

  91. I don’t know if it’s too scary for most kids or not. My 4 year old niece loved this movie.

  92. I really like Glinda–as a favorite– some parts maybe a little scary for the kids– I know when the first time I saw OZ , I really hated those monkeys– I would hind my eyes everytime they showed up

  93. I like Glinda. I don’t know if it is too scary for kids, I think it depends on the version. I haven’t seen the new version yet.

  94. I like Glinda. I think kids over 10 as you said could see it. I haven’t seen it but my sister took my oldest niece who is 9 but our youngest niece who is 5 would be scared of the monkey’s. I’m looking forward to seeing it. Thank you 馃檪

  97. I love the original Wizard of Oz so I’m looking forward to seeing this version. I think it’s appropriate for older children but not the younger ones.

  98. I love the good witch but I prefer children see the types of things I saw as a kid. I prefer The Little Rascals!

  100. Sure, I’d let kids watch this movie–I’m surprised to read that it might be an issue.
    bethelderton59 at gmail dot com

  101. I have always loved Glinda! How can you not love a good witch?!?! I haven’t seen this yet so I’m not sure if it would be ok for our 5 yo to watch or not!

  105. I haven’t seen the movie yet but it seems like something I wouldn’t let a child under 10 watch.

  107. Do you have a favorite of the three witches?

    i like the wicked witch of the west and her flying ,onkeys

  109. glinda is my favorite witch and I love the wizard of oz when I was little I guess some kids it could scare but I looked forward to it coming on every year.it still is my favorite movie.

  111. I’ve been looking forward to this one 馃檪 I love Milla Kunis and am interested in seeing their take on Oz 馃檪

  120. My kids will love this movie I can’t wait to watch it with them. Glinda is my favorite !

  122. We watched it on the day it came out on the disney Magic. We took our kids ages 7, 9, and 12. They all enjoyed it. I liked Glinda of course.

  123. I have not seen the movie yet so I am not sure what it is like I would watch it first before I let my daughter watch it and go from there I like Glinda

  124. To an extent I have never really censored what my children watch so i don’t know that I’m the one to answer the appropriate question. I haven’t ever seen the movie but I doubt IMO it would be something I would have a problem with my children watching.

  127. favorite is theodora. mina kunis is also one of my favorite actresses. probably okay for older kids.

  128. Glinda is my fave. Always will be. : ) I do not feel that this OZ is appropriate for younger children. Some of the content was a bit inappropriate for younger viewers. This movie was good but could never compare to the original movie.

  129. My favorite is Glinda! I have not seen it yet but I think for older kids it would be ok.

  130. the first oz was appropraite for kids but I think this one isnt,,heard that it might scare little ones

  132. I would only let my kids see this movie when they are older since they are so litttle.

  135. I love Glinda the best. I am not sure if it is appropriate for kids, as I have yet to see it. mmalavec(at)med(dot)umich(dot)edu

  141. I think OZ is appropriate for kids. My daughter saw “Wicked” when she was 8 years old and wasn’t freaked out by it.

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