Welcome to another episode of Lights....Camera....Popcorn!
Today's review is Oz The Great and Powerful.
Directed by Sam Raimi.
Written by Mitchell Kapner & David Lindsay-Abaire.
Based on the novel. "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." Written by L. Frank Baum.
Review #204
MPAA Rating: Rated PG for sequences of action and scary images, and brief mild language.
Run Time: 130 min
Cast
James Franco...Oz
Mila Kunis...Theodora
Rachel Weisz...Evanora
Michelle Williams...Annie / Glinda
Zach Braff...Frank / Finley
Bill Cobbs...Master Tinker
Joey King...Girl in Wheelchair / China Girl
Tony Cox...Knuck
The Wizard of Oz is defined in one word.
Classic.
There are so many hidden metaphors and meaning buried in this film that it's very easy to forget that it's simply a fantasy film in it's purest form. It's not perfect. What film truly is? That being said, The Wizard of Oz is a staple in the film world and should be required viewing for every human along with Citizen Kane, The Sound of Music and Inherit The Wind.
So with the recent influx of children's fantasy stories being adapted into "fresh" takes we are not blessed with a Wizard of Oz prequel. With all of the previous fantasy films bombing badly both critically and financially, deservedly so I might add. The question needed to be raised. Was another entry in the Oz saga necessary?
The answer is a resounding NO.
Nevertheless it was made and damn was it good.
Plot
A small-time magician arrives in an enchanted land and is forced to decide if he will be a good man or a great one.
Since the original Oz closes out the potential for direct sequels, at least I hope it did. The powers that be went the prequel route. If the world deemed it necessary that there had to be more Oz films than this was the only way to go and it was smart. They even went a smarter route and focused on the origin of the wizard. Now I only remember bits and pieces of the original film but what always stood out was that the wizard was a fake. Misleading the people of Oz with phony powers and control. This film picks right up from that and gives us this.
The initial impression of Oz is that he's not just a hustler but a bit of a jerk. Like all magicians he's selling fantasy over reality. However, he has a seediness to him that makes him very unlikeable. There is a high sense of "better you than me" with Oz. Obviously this is all set up so that he can redeem himself when it's time to put up or shut up.
The real magic of course happens when he's transported to the land of OZ.
As expected the place is pure fantasy and all CGI. Impressive CGI but CGI nonetheless. The thing that this film does pretty well is two fold. The first being able to give us a credible origin for some of the stories popular characters. Since this is a prequel the wicked with of the west doesn't exist yet. So here you get to see where she comes from and how. You also find out why water is her weakness.
Pretty simple yet clever at the same time.
Secondly you become invested in 2 very cute CGI characters. The first being Finley the flying monkey in a valet suit. He provides most of the comic relief but his facial expressions and mannerisms give him a humanity that I haven't seen in a CGI character in quite some time. Then you're introduced to the china doll. You may remember from the trailer but her character is so adorable that you can't keep your eyes off her. That's pretty impressive. Historically it's easy to dismiss a CGI character and accept them for what they are. But in this case they both are living breathing characters that deserved your attention and respect.
It also helps you believe in the interaction between these characters and Oz.
Which segues nicely to the human characters. Most of the performances were over the top, which were necessary being a fantasy film. The most grounded was James Franco as Oz. He really turned on the charm here. The whole time I was watching this I kept thinking to myself that he's really selling this character to me.
Why couldn't he have pretended to be interested when he was hosting the Oscars?
The rest of the cast did their parts to ensemble the story to it's inevitable conclusion which once again threads the back story of the wizard and the wicked witch. We even get a few quick cameo's of some other popular characters from the original film. It's those little things that made this film so enjoyable. The writers paid attention to the details that Wizard of Oz fans would be looking for and they didn't disappoint.
On the 5 star scale. Oz The Great and Powerful gets 3 stars with a "Go See It!" recommendation.
That's a wrap for today. Up next is Spring Breakers.
Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"
"D"
I think that the problem most people might have with the movie is that there aren't as much references to the original Wizard of Oz movie as one might expect. Legally, they can’t, but they still throw some stuff in there every once and awhile and that was worth a fun watch. Good review D.
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