Oz the Great and Powerful [2013]
Directed by: Sam Raimi
Written by: Mitchell Kapner and David Lindsay-Abaire; based on The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
Starring: James Franco, Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz, Zach Braff, Joey King
Here’s something that might come as a shocker: I am not a fan of The Wizard of Oz. I think it’s extremely corny and that time has not been at all kind to it.
Ray Bolger and Judy Garland are great, but Bert Lahr as the Cowardly Lion is embarrassingly bad and one of the main reasons why I just can’t stand that classic.
It was surprising to me, then, that I was really looking forward to another trip down the Yellow Brick Road ever since I caught the trailer for Oz the Great and Powerful. Raimi behind the camera and Franco, Williams, Kunis and Weisz in front of it promised a quality experience.
It did not disappoint. Sam Raimi and writers Mitchell Kapner and David Lindsay-Abaire dial down the cheesiness of the original (do not fret, some of it is still there, of course) and give us a fun family film. The colorful land of Oz in 2013 had to look absolutely amazing, and it does. The visuals are easily one of the better aspects of this fantasy.
As the titular wizard, James Franco plays James Franco, which normally I’d have a problem with, but the guy’s real personality matches his character perfectly. Besides, we know Johnny Depp or Robert Downey Jr. would’ve played themselves as well, so can’t say other options could have been better. It’s the witches who steal the show, though, and talented actresses Michelle Williams, Mila Kunis and Rachel Weisz (looking gorgeous, by the way; bravo Daniel Craig) all bring something unique and memorable to the Oz table.
Purists may find this chapter uninspired and pale in comparison to the 1939 classic, but if you, like me, don’t even like that one in the first place, Raimi’s version could very well become your favorite adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s oeuvre.
Great review here. I enjoyed this movie to a certain extent. Sorry you don’t like the original Oz (using your scale, I’d probably give it a 3.5/5 or a 4/5–docking points for some of the melodrama and unintended laughs–but it requires a rewatch that hasn’t been fulfilled in about eight years). I thought that visually, this new edition was outstanding. I saw it in 3-D, which was even better. But the writing needed more subtlety to its name, and Mila Kunis was simply abysmal as the Wicked Witch (the one we know by tradition).
My review should be up in the beginning of April, I believe; I saw the film itself on opening night, so I can blame the delay on the Torturefest. 🙂
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Thanks. And yes, I agree on the visuals. Skipped seeing it on 3D since I normally don’t like that format. It gives me headaches. Look forward to your review!
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Oohh but sometime soon 3-D will be all we have! 😦
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Nice review! Looks like we agree on this one…
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Thanks. And I’m glad we do! 🙂
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Bravo Daniel Craig indeed!
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Lucky man!
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I very much enjoyed this ride. Probably because I remain a big fan of Sam Raimi. I’m sure Disney held him back some, but a good deal of the man’s talent came through. If you’re interested, I recommend my friend and author John Kenneth Muir’s piece on the film. Fine review, Fernando.
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Thanks, Michael. Big fan of Raimi too. I’ll try to check out JKM’s piece. Thank you for the recommendation.
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I don’t think I’ve heard anyone who has said they don’t like The Wizard of Oz…
I’m hoping to see this one and I’m glad to hear some positive word on it. Nice review.
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Well, now you have! hahah
Hope you enjoy this one when you see it 🙂
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Based on what you told me, I kind of thought you were giving this an even more positive review. You and I gave this very similar ratings. Although you’re the only person I’m aware of who actually liked this better than the original. 😉
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Yeah, I mean, I had a lot of fun and I prefered this one to the original but it’s by no means flawless or a classic, so I thought 3 and a half stars were adequate.
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Nice review mate. Don’t think I’m gonna get round to seeing this at the cinema but I definitely think I’ll check it out on Blu. I’ve not actually seen the original all the way through so I may need to see that first anyway!
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Thanks 🙂 Curious about your take on both. You now know how I feel about them. I bet Oz the Great looks fantastic on Blu-Ray!
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Good review bud. It’s an alright movie if you want to have a little fun and leave it that. Anything more, you’re most likely to be pissed.
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Yeah, I agree. Thanks!
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I enjoyed to some extent as well, although I didn’t much care for Franco. He can handle the some of the smaller, more emotional scenes quite well, but I can’t get behind the scenes where he is “Franco” and full of bravado. I loved Michelle Williams and the voice talent though. Kunis was good, but didn’t think she could handle the dark side of her character as much. I still liked her though. Weisz was great as well. Nice Review!
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Thanks a lot. Agree on Franco and Kunis. But, I felt their OTT performances suited the material.
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I’m so glad to know that someone else doesn’t like the original Wizard of Oz either. We are now allies forever my friend.
That being said, I’m glad you at least liked this one a bit. It’s the only thing in theaters right now that may have me getting off my couch to check it out.
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Allies forever, indeed!
And hope you check out the new one. Like I said, it’s pretty fun and I think you’d enjoy it.
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Wait. What? You dont like “The Wizard of Oz”?
😯
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No, I don’t! I know it’s hard to believe, but Nick doesn’t like it either, so I’m not alone on that! haha
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Great review Fernando, I haven’t seen this yet as I couldn’t make it to the press screening. Ahah, I haven’t seen The Wizard of Oz but I thought it looked so corny from the trailer that my hubby n I decided not to rent it. We thought it might be a good idea before seeing the film but I think since it’s a prequel it’s probably ok that we haven’t seen the original.
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Yeah, you don’t need to have seen the first to understand this one, but you can pick up some stuff if you have. You should see both and compare. Maybe you’ll like it, I don’t know.
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Yeah maybe one day I might see it. Btw, I love that poster you use here, lovely!!
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Pretty cool, huh?
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Nice review Fernando, I think you dug this one a bit more than I did. Still waiting for one of the guys to check this one out so we can post our 3 guys review ;-(
My son enjoyed the film as much as you seemed to.
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Thanks, man! Please share your 3-guy review when it’s up!
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How…can you not like…the Wizard of Oz…
I will never comment on anything you ever write again. Ever. (Okay, maybe I will tomorrow, but still.)
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LOL, I can’t help it. I just find it incredibly grating!
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Nice review Fernando. I saw this today and basically agree with everything you said. It was much better than I was expecting. James Franco who I usually really like actually grated with me though. Michelle Williams was fantastic though. And somehow the Zach Braff as talking monkey character was hilarious rather than the annoying mess I was expecting.
Tis great that you don’t just take critical opinions as gospel when thinking about ‘classic’ films like so many do. That said though I absolutely love the original Wizard of Oz and think it has aged pretty well.
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Thanks a lot! Yeah, that monkey was pretty funny. Loved Williams too and Franco didn’t grate on me as much but I get where you’re coming from.
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BTW, I’ve nominated you for a Liebster Award, Fernando. No pressure to respond or take part, but wanted to let you know that I enjoy your writing.
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Thanks a lot, Michael! It truly means a lot!
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I thought this was a cracking return to Oz, I like your review and hope you could look at mine if you get the time! http://conordcfc.wordpress.com/2013/03/18/film-review-oz-the-great-and-powerful-2013/
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Thanks a lot. I definitely will as soon as I have a little time! Thanks!
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This is one of the more positive reviews I’ve seen about this movie. I have yet to see it but probably will as I am an Oz fan. Odds are though, with that in mind, I’ll be let down. All the same, I think it will be an entertaining watch.
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Thanks. Hope you enjoy it 🙂 Big fans of the original have been let down by this one, but since I’m not one of them, I actually had a lot of fun 😉
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