The Wizard of Oz
The story of Oscar Diggs is a worthwhile tale with a satisfying payoff - an experience that will leave most filmgoers glad that Raimi decided to investigate the humbug behind the curtain.
Oz the Great and Powerful , from conductor Sam Raimi , is the most recent project to draw from Frank Baum’sOzbook serial - which has get word numerous re - imaginings , whirl - offs , and version since it first debuted in the year 1900 . For more than a 100 , the Land of Oz has served as inspiration for countless lover - favorite drama in a variety of mediums - including MGM ’s 1939 picture classic , The Wizard of Oz(drawing extensively on the first Quran in the series , The marvellous Wizard of Oz ) as well as the Broadway play , Wicked(based on Gregory Maguire ’s revisionist novelWicked : The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West ) .
As a result , while Disney has positionedOz the Great and Powerfulas a spiritual precursor to the iconic 1939 film , Raimi ’s movie is not a direct prequel - a detail that has been lost in the shuffle of pre - release debate and anticipation . Fans and fault - finders will argue over conflicting plot - points between the two high - visibility movies , but regardless of where it fit out in the dealership carom , isOz the Great and Powerfula successful film deserving of good word ? moot the caliber of anterior adventures in the humankind of Oz - not to mention whirl - off re - imaginings of iconic characters - does a blockbuster CGI geographic expedition of the nominal Wizard of Oz ( act by James Franco ) proffer a magical and captivating experience worthy of a return slip to the sensationalistic brick route - especially in 3-D ?
sure fans could , without question , be put - off byOz the majuscule and Powerful , since the film makes freehanded ( yet venerating ) use of iconic enfranchisement character : most notably Oz , Glinda , and the Wicked Witch of the West . However , any modification to the characters or expectant world successfully do the story at hand , and several enjoyable nod to the famous Judy Garland - starring original should please longtime followers - if they ’re willing to keep an open mind about Raimi ’s effort .
Oz the Great and Powerfulis surprisingly exciting with beautiful visuals and a sharp balance wheel between humour and aroused dramatic event that puddle even unconditional underpin characters memorable and well - deserving their various screen prison term . There are some on - the - nozzle minute and underdeveloped ideas , but the central storey - the making of a great ( and powerful ) valet de chambre - invokes the " spirit " of Victor Fleming ’s classic in an entertaining proceeds to Oz for modern moviegoers .
As indicated , Oz the large and Powerfulexplores the descent of several characters that play key component inThe Wizard of Oz -as well as otherOzadventures - but the film ’s primary focus is on non - wizard Oscar ( Franco ) . A womanizing sideshow magician , Oscar " Oz " Diggs wears out his welcome in the traveling carnival and , flee for his life by hot air balloon , is sucked into a tornado - collapse - landing place in the witching universe of Oz .
The masses of Oz eagerly welcome Oscar , trust his arrival is part of an eld - former prophesy that suggests a whiz from the sky will defeat the Wicked Witch and bring order to the land . Tempted by the promise of outright riches and armed with nothing but magic tricks and a few close admirer , Oscar sets out to kill the tyrannical witch .
The story is pretty straightforward , peculiarly for film fans who are already familiar with elements of the Oz mythos - witches , Munchkins , wing rapscallion and other magical inhabitants . The motion-picture show serves as a double origin story for both the Wizard of Oz and the Wicked Witch of the West - though Oscar is the primary focus and his personal journeying from conman to great human beings correct all of the other case in movement .
help by a likable performance from James Franco , Oscar is surprisingly late - especially since an older version of the role once pleaded for Dorothy to " pay no mind to the man behind the curtain . " As it turns out , that valet de chambre has a tale deserving telling and , unlike many films that attempt to explore the beginning of a known Hollywood ikon , Oz the Great and Powerfulactually has the voltage to make the character ’s mien in the originalWizard of Ozmore impactful .
The cinema is less successful in its effort to offer a Wicked Witch of the West backstory - which will be a power point of contention among moviegoers . Raimi set up forth a valorous sweat , assay to supply his own take on one of cinema ’s most well - known ( as well as one - dimensional ) villains . While the Wicked Witch is fun to catch , the character ’s motivations are thin and unsatisfying - peculiarly when paired against the charming phylogenesis of Oscar .
Michelle Williams as Glinda the Good Witch
Most motion-picture fan will quickly earn ( or possibly already know ) which of the Oz witch is on track to become the notorious dark-green - skinned evildoer ; however , the want of surprisal does n’t take away from some amusing moments with the character and a competent ( by choice over - the - top ) performance from the actress who trifle her . In fact , all three of the Oz witches ( played by Rachel Weisz , Mila Kunis , and Michelle Williams ) have in their roles - poise the whimsical but sometimes dire pure tone of the movie , while offer some pretty slick hand - to - wand combat .
Equally impressive is the visual aesthetic and design . CGI characters like Oscar ’s sidekicks Finley , a favorable fly scallywag ( voiced by Zach Braff ) and China Girl , a living doll ( voiced by Joey King ) , are responsible for some of the most humourous and excited scenes in the intact motion picture . The characters are a major triumph in digital playacting - once again lift the cake for what filmmakers can do with non - human roles .
to boot , Raimi pay homage to the admiration of the authoritative movie by equilibrize dreamlike backdrop and creature with credible live - action elements . It ’s a unlined and outstanding product that toys with the boundaries of cinematic demonstration and storytelling - specially as the film transition from a grim and white 4:3 film proportion to 16:9 widescreen coloring material .
Finley (Zach Braff), China Girl (Joey King), and Oscar ‘Oz’ Diggs (James Franco)
Raimi puts the same view into his usance of 3D. true , sense of taste in 3D is subjective , butOz the Great and Powerfulis full of breathtaking three-D sequences that without question enhance the nation of Oz . Most often , the effect is used for deepness in massive shots that position characters against the grand scale of The Emerald City or The Dark Forrest - but the director also includes some fun in - your - face moments for startles and scares . That said , while Raimi delivers one of the better 3D efforts , worthy of the bounty pricing , film devotee that have a hard time with the 3D format ( eye line or nausea ) may determine a few disjunct set - part to be off - putt - even though the gist is comfortable and immersive most of the time .
Oz the Great and Powerfulpresents a catch take on that marvelous Wizard of Oz - flesh out the character with a beautiful and emotional risky venture . At times , Raimi tries too hard to link up all the battery-acid between his photographic film and the original , make an inapt gray area between " unearthly precursor " and " prequel " that may be off - putting toOzcanon purists . However , on its own , the tale of Oscar Diggs is a worthwhile tale with a satisfying payoff - an experience that will leave behind most filmgoers glad that Raimi decided to inquire the " humbug " behind the curtain .
If you ’re still on the fencing aboutOz the Great and Powerful , ascertain out the poke below :
The Wicked Witch of the West in ‘Oz the Great and Powerful’
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Oscar Diggs arrives in the Land of Oz
Oz the Great and Powerfulruns 130 minutes and is Rated PG for sequence of legal action and chilling image , and abbreviated soft speech . Now play in 2D and 3D theatre .
rent us know what you thought of the film in the comment section below . If you ’ve seen the motion picture and require to discuss item about the movie without worrying about spoiling it for those who have n’t see it , please head over to ourOz the Great and PowerfulSpoilers Discussion .
For an in - depth discourse of the photographic film by the Screen Rant editors check out ourOz the Great and Powerfulepisodeof theSR Underground podcast .
Oz the Great and Powerful, directed by Sam Raimi, is a prequel to the classic Wizard of Oz. James Franco stars as Oscar Diggs, a small-time circus magician who finds himself in the magical land of Oz. There, he encounters three witches, played by Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, and Michelle Williams, who doubt he is the great wizard they’ve been expecting.
Oz the Great and potent , directed by Sam Raimi , is a prequel to the classical Wizard of Oz . James Franco star as Oscar Diggs , a pocket-sized - time genus Circus magician who finds himself in the magical land of Oz . There , he encounters three witches , played by Mila Kunis , Rachel Weisz , and Michelle Williams , who doubt he is the slap-up wizard they ’ve been look .
