Oz the Great and Powerful is a new contemporary classic that stands on its own while honoring its predecessor. The movie is the story of how Oz, a lowlife circus magician, scoundrel and womanizer played by James Franco, arrives to the Land of Oz and becomes the Great Wizard. It is amusing to see the backdrop story of Evanora, Theodora, Glinda and Oz. The movie explores their motives and relationships and takes us into a deeper understanding of each.
The movie does an extraordinary job at taking us back to the magical Land of Oz. I loved the way the movie keeps the feel of the original while deepening it through CGI’s. On the original we literally saw a landscape while in this one we get to go into the landscape.
I also liked the black and white beginning sequence since in a way it brings back the same tone of the original. There is something about this beginning scene that feels as if it had been filmed five decades ago. Maybe the scenery or dialogue or old school graphics but it brings that touch of magic. Rachel Weisz is as superb and gorgeous as ever. She absolutely owned her role as Evanora. Milla Kunis also does a marvelous job as the dual character of Theodora. I just wished we would of had seen more of her on the screen.
Apart from this I find that the best thing of the movie is a new nameless character referred to only as the China Girl since she is literally a girl made of china. First she is one great CGI, but secondly is incredible how this character can make you cry one moment and laugh the other in a seamlessly effortless way. She is spunky, fragile, strong, girly and witty all at once. To me she is the great scene stealer of the movie.
In the end the movie apart from the cast and effects is a simple story of man against himself were Oz goes from being a selfish man to a great selfless wizard.
Synopsis: Disney’s fantastical adventure “Oz The Great and Powerful,” directed by Sam Raimi, imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum’s beloved wizard character. 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’s 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’s been expecting. 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 the great and powerful wizard but into a better man as well.
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Disclosure: This review was written by Mr. W. Fraticelli for Miami Mommy Savings. Two complimentary tickets were provided to facilitate this movie review. No compensation was received.
**Mr. W. Fraticelli **
Meet Miami Mommy Savings movie reviewer:
W. Fraticelli is a father of three, 2 boys and one beautiful baby girl! He loves music, movies and god. He was born in Puerto Rico and moved to Miami to pursue his music passion.