In 1939 the world was introduced to the cinematic masterpiece “The Wizard of Oz,” shifting forever what special effects and storytelling means to moviemaking.

The instant classic is a must-see for both young and old, and in an effort to recapture the unique magic of Oz, Walt Disney Pictures organized an impressive cast to make a prequel to the early 20th century milestone.

“Oz the Great and Powerful” delves into the origins of L. Frank Baum’s story. The headlining character in this fantasy journey is Oscar Diggs, played by James Franco.

As a small-time circus magician, Oscar goes by the stage name Oz, and he constantly breaks ethical and moral grounds in an attempt to be “great.” The exposition of the film does a reasonable job exploring the different sides of this main character, but it is Franco’s performance that draws the audience in from the onset.

There is no doubt that Oz’s character development is cliché, but Franco is able to use his charisma and charming over-the-top tendencies to bring what is usually a bland protagonist to life.

Unfortunately, on the opposing end of the good vs. evil spectrum, the antagonists of “Oz the Great and Powerful” suffer setbacks.

When he first arrives in the Land of Oz, Diggs’ first meets Theodora, a smart, constantly optimistic and obviously pretty witch.

Mila Kunis was a great choice for the part of Theodora, but her acting is limited in the film by a dumb-downed script.

Her character acts like a high school student with a crush; she succumbs to her desire instantly, but when it gets torn away, she predictably acts out and becomes filled with ire and resentment. Even someone who has never seen the original “The Wizard of Oz” could predict her her character development in “Oz the Great and Powerful.”

From a directional stand point, Sam Raimi departs from his normal horror and comic book adapting tendencies. Raimi is known for directing all three films in the Tobey Maguire “Spider-Man” trilogy and being the headman of the “Evil Dead” and its recent remake.

He uses his expertise in special effects to make Oz a truly magical place, and while the 3-D aspect is lacking, Raimi still makes this fantasy world come to life with vivid colors and imaginative tweaks. “Oz the Great and Powerful” is by no means a cinematic masterpiece equivalent to its predecessor, but it is still an enjoyable fantasy tale.

It is important to recognize that this movie was made for a younger audience, so as a disclaimer, more mature audiences will have to put up with some clichéd and uninspiring dull moments.

With all things said, this adventure is one that all audiences can enjoy and families would be unwise to miss.