The Great and Powerful Oz
Lissa Coffey
Grade: B
| No movie is ever going to live up to The Wizard of Oz – so don’t even think about comparing the two. The Great and Powerful Oz is a kind of prequel – the story about how the Wizard of Oz got his job. James Franco plays the title character, and we first meet him while he’s working in a kind of traveling circus. He’s a kind of smooth salesman, a charming con artist. But there’s something likable about him as well. He gets swept up in a hot air balloon during a storm and lands in a mysterious and unfamiliar land.
As the story unfolds, this “wizard” learns he must pass a test in order to be official in this place – and three sisters, or witches, put him through his paces. Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams and Rachel Weisz are wonderful in their roles. The art direction is especially notable – this is a beautiful movie to watch on the large screen – and there’s even a 3D option, so see that if you can. The colors are AMAZING, and the costumes and make-up are wonderful. Music by Danny Elfman is terrific as well. A few scary parts, so be careful with young children – but all in all it’s a great movie, fun for the whole family. |