Know going in that this movie is rated PG. Don’t expect anything more than a few swears and definitely don’t expect an intricate plot or any violent battles. After all, one of the sides involved in the final battle is forbidden from killing.

“Oz” starts off with black-and-white film showing the life of Oz as he struggles to make a career as a magician at a fair. After being involved with a muscle-man’s girlfriend he hops in a hot-air balloon to escape and is whisked away by a tornado, after which he awakes in the bright and colorful Oz.

The first character he encounters is Theodora the Good, who entrances him with her beauty. And after being enticed by the tales of Kingship and wealth he can receive if he destroys the Wicked Witch, he agrees, thinking he can weasel his way out of doing any real work.

He meets Thedora’s sister, Evanora, who sends him to the forest to kill the “Wicked Witch.” Along with some pals he picks up along the way he heads to the forest, only to discover he’s been tricked by Evanora and the “Wicked Witch” is really Glinda the Good. From there ensues the classic good vs. evil battle.

I guess I should have done more research, but I was expecting a more mature, more serious movie. Instead, it’s a very feel-good, simple movie that included lots of humor and cute scenes.

It starts off a bit slow, and doesn’t pick up until he meets Glinda and they have their first grand escape.  And even from there on all the battles they’re involved in are solved creatively and suspiciously easily.

Overall, it ranks at a 6/10, but mostly because I was expecting something different. If you’re looking for a feel-good movie with cute, sassy talking animals and a predictable plot, go for it. If you grew out of that stuff, maybe look for something else.