Oz the Great and Powerful is a prequel to the legendary 1939 “The Wizard of Oz.” It begins many, many years before Dorothy’s fateful adventure among the Munchkins. Sam Raimi directs, and the story moves along steadily enough. However, much of what made the film was its fabulous 3D effects—pretty spectacular— coupled with wonderful sets, a touch of humor (more like one-liner wit), and the BIG answers to questions everyone has been wondering about for 74 years.
Oz The Great and Powerful Review
Director Sam Raimi and his cast (James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams) answer the questions nearly a century old: Who is the Wizard? Where did he come from? How did he get to Oz, and why did he go?. It also reveals the essence of who the witches are and what motivates them.
What the film lacked, however, was Raimi’s ability to pull us in. He didn’t fully engage his characters to extract the rawness required to carry us along on their adventures and make us believe. There was a disconnect between the characters, their circumstances, their challenges, and each other.
The romance wasn’t that romantic; the adventure was more like a walk through pretty scenery, and the perils were tame and unmoving.
While elements of the 3D jumps off the screen, the essence of the characters never does.
Franco, likable as a circus magician con man—forced to flee Kansas in a hot-air balloon to save himself from an enraged strongman—establishes Oscar Diggs (Oz the Wizard) early on as the skirt-chasing, double-talker he is.
He wrestles with being ordinary with the girl he adores, or losing her in pursuit of the greatness (= fame and glory) he wants.
The film holds our attention. But it’s more about utilizing our own curiosity than the grip of the storytelling: we all want to know the backstory of the witches, the Wizard, and the wonderful Emerald City.
In that regard, the film fares well, giving us just enough to keep pulling us along. The Wizard of Oz, whom the people of Oz believe is the savior foretold in prophecy, quickly realizes he’s in over his head. He finds himself doubting. But belief is a powerful force, and his support comes from the least likely people, since they alone know he is a fraud. They keep his secret for their own ends. “You’re not the Wizard I had hoped for, but you’re the only one we have,” Glinda tells him. In the next moment, however, we do believe her when she tells him, “But you’re also more than you know.” You can view the trailer here.
After a rather laid-back adventure, the near-ending delivers a clever punch that sparks an “Ohhh, that’s how that came to be!” moment.
If you’re a fan of the 1939 masterpiece, it’s hard not to find something you’ll like about the prequel—as long as your expectations aren’t over the top. You won’t be disappointed or overwhelmed; I dare say you will be entertained.
