The Movie: Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Sam Raimi
Starring: James Franco as Oz, Mila Kunis as Theodora, Rachel Weisz as Evanora, Michelle Williams as Annie / Glinda, Zach Braff as Frank / Finley, Bill Cobbs as Master Tinker, Joey King as Girl in Wheelchair / China Girl, Tony Cox as Knuck, Stephen R. Hart as Winkie General and Abigail Spencer as May
Screenwriters: Mitchell Kapner and David Lindsay-Abaire
RottenTomatoes: 60% MetaCritic: 44/100
Snippet from My Review: (read my full review here)
You’re going to hear about how great Oz the Great and Powerful is in terms of visuals. The 100% CGI china doll character is, admittedly, phenomenal, but for the most part we are teleported into a CG wonderland that’s lovely to look at, but lacking in wonder. You don’t look at the Oz developed by the effects wizards employed by director Sam Raimi and awe at its majesty as much as you see it for all its artificiality and the 3-D does little to enhance this non-reality accompanied by a story that quickly progresses into boredom.
Starter Questions
Here are a few questions to help get the conversation started.
1.) Whether you liked the film or not, did you find the visuals impressive enough to actually improve your overall thoughts on the film?
2.) What did you think of the performances? I was particularly unimpressed with Franco, Williams and Kunis, but many have disagreed with me when it comes to Williams.
3.) Did you find it hard not to compare it to the original 1939 version and did the memory of that film hurt your viewing experience?
Now share your thoughts on the film in the comments below and feel free to include spoilers.
