"Oz The Great and Powerful" brings to mind another Disney movie, "Pinocchio". It too had a wooden actor struggling to become a real boy. The movie should guide the future of effects-heavy motion pictures, demonstrating once and for all that actors are a vital and necessary part of the filmmaking process. Another movie also comes to mind, "Dude, Where's My Car?" Not because of the Cali-bro acting style, but because of one the great lines in that movie: "No 'And Then.'" Screenplays that are advanced by "and then he..." and then, they" are not as good as "but, then" and "at the same time," and "somewhere else, this other group." The screenplay is boring through 3 quarters of the movie. The special effects are amazing and the fine actresses in the movie do their best to carry the male lead but his lack of range leaves Oz flat on the ground.
Pros great special effects, good art direction
Cons bad acting, bad screenplay
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Additional information about familyfun2005 could not be loaded.
from Oshkosh, WI
Age:35 to 44
Gender:Female
Goes to the movies:once every few months
Dialogue
5/ 5
Special Effects
5/ 5
Art Direction
5/ 5
Acting
5/ 5
Story
5/ 5
Camerawork
5/ 5
My husband and I took our 14 yr old and 6 yr old daughters and they both loved it. My 6 yr old usually gets bored after awhile sitting in a movie theater, but the most she did was move to the edge of her seat about 4/5 of the way through it bcz it was so good. She didnt even get up to go to the bathroom. (that means she thought it was too good to get up for) Great movie, and it wasn't too intense for my children.
Pros well paced, great story, great actors
Cons none
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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from Westland, MI, USA
Dialogue
4/ 5
Special Effects
5/ 5
Art Direction
4/ 5
Acting
5/ 5
Story
4/ 5
Camerawork
3/ 5
I understand that this is a prequel to the original but found it somewhat confusing. The effects were great and the acting good. It will be interesting to see if they come out with a second one.
Cons too complex
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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from Mingo Junction, OH, USA
Age:35 to 44
Gender:Female
Goes to the movies:monthly
Dialogue
4/ 5
Special Effects
5/ 5
Art Direction
5/ 5
Acting
5/ 5
Story
4/ 5
Camerawork
5/ 5
We enjoyed this movie very much. twists and turns the art and visual was by far the best I have ever seen these are what dreams are made of
Pros well paced, great story, great actors
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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from Texas
Age:45 to 54
Gender:Female
Goes to the movies:monthly
Dialogue
4/ 5
Special Effects
4/ 5
Art Direction
4/ 5
Acting
4/ 5
Story
5/ 5
Camerawork
4/ 5
I had read what the critics said but II still wanted to see it and I'm glad I did. I liked the movie. It wasn't the best movie I've ever seen but I don't regret paying to see it in the theater. I wasn't in it for the special effects but the 3D version was pretty good. I liked that the movie took care to develop a believable backstory. When you think about the classic Wizard of Oz, you think of a musical, great numbers, rich, saturated colors, a good story but so-so acting at best. This is an enjoyable movie. I especially liked that Oz's girlfriend was Dorthy's mother. I liked that they made the wizard a real human being with faults. He is able to overcome some of his character flaws and help good prevail. I always thought there was something between Glinda and the Wizard!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Additional information about MKookie64 could not be loaded.
from Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
Age:45 to 54
Gender:Female
Goes to the movies:monthly
Dialogue
1/ 5
Special Effects
4/ 5
Art Direction
2/ 5
Acting
1/ 5
Story
4/ 5
Camerawork
3/ 5
Not worth your money or time unless you are under 13
Cons bad acting
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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from Oconomowoc, WI 53066, USA
Age:35 to 44
Gender:Male
Goes to the movies:monthly
Dialogue
5/ 5
Special Effects
5/ 5
Art Direction
5/ 5
Acting
5/ 5
Story
5/ 5
Camerawork
5/ 5
My 10 year old son and I went to see Oz on opening the night, and we both thoroughly enjoyed it! I really liked the fact that the film wasn't aimed to "out-do" the original. Instead, it fit right in. It didn't disresepct the memory of the original. The hints that were dropped in regards to what happens and why when Dorothy and Co. eventually come to town were a nice touch. Some people are complaining about the absence of the Ruby Slippers. While I agree this is sad, it has to do with copyright issues between MGM and Disney. Don't let that one thing take away from your enjoyment of the film!!!
James Franco made for a down-to-earth Wizard, and the lovely Mila Kunis was superb in playing two ends of the spectrum. Michelle Williams, who is so extremely beautiful, was also a great fit for her role. The movie itself was simply visually stuning, full of vivid colors and magical life forms. I am glad they stuck to the sepia toned beginning in Kansas to the eventual ultra vivid colors in Oz. It makes the scenery pop out even more when the wizard lands there.
I am looking forward to seeing it again, to watch for any references to the original that I may have missed. This will make a great addition to my BluRay library, resting right next to the original!!! Go see it, and take your kids!!!!!
Pros well paced, great story, great actors, family-friendly
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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from Long Island, New York, USA
Age:45 to 54
Gender:Female
Goes to the movies:once every few months
Dialogue
2/ 5
Special Effects
5/ 5
Art Direction
5/ 5
Acting
4/ 5
Story
3/ 5
Camerawork
5/ 5
I saw this movie with my 6 year old in 3D. As an adult I thought the story was about average but whatever the script lacked I felt was made up for with very good special effects/ camerawork. I recommend seeing it in 3d for the best entertainment purposes. I gave the rating an overall "good" based on my sons response, he really enjoyed the movie.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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from Providence, RI, USA
Age:35 to 44
Gender:Male
Goes to the movies:monthly
Dialogue
5/ 5
Special Effects
5/ 5
Art Direction
5/ 5
Acting
5/ 5
Story
5/ 5
Camerawork
5/ 5
Jaded movie reviewers from the NY TIMES, LA Times, Roger Ebert were quick to slam this film. Their idealized views of what they want Oz to be for them clouds what this movie wants to achieve. This movie tells a simple story of a man who lacks faith but comes to realize he is capable of great things. It helps that Franco has sexual chemistry with all three actresses who play the witches. Each witch seems to represent his traits, good and bad. Unfortunately, his bad traits cause the downfall of one character that turns her into the Wicked Witch. The themes of love, jealousy, envy, betrayal keep this fairy tale grounded so as wild as things are in Oz, the well-defined characters keep the story grounded through the thrilling conclusion. My one complaint is I wish it was bit scarier.
Pros well paced, great story, great actors
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Despite the weak female ensemble, Oz is great because of a beguiling performance by James Franco as the famous wizard.
Fans of the Wizard of Oz will be delighted by the references to he classic and oh those flying monkeys and porcelain girls!
Pros great story
Cons bad actresses
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Great movie! James Franco was wonderful. Please see it in 3D-IMAX!!
Pros well paced, great story, great actors, james franco, 3d-imax
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Additional information about Rabbit5 could not be loaded.
from Wausau, WI
Age:35 to 44
Gender:Male
Goes to the movies:monthly
Dialogue
2/ 5
Special Effects
2/ 5
Art Direction
3/ 5
Acting
2/ 5
Story
3/ 5
Camerawork
2/ 5
This movie is not what I expected at all. 3D effects are not worth the extra money.
Cons slow
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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After two hours (two and a half with previews) I came out of the theater more worried about where I was going to have lunch than luxuriating in my experience with this movie. When I caught myself thinking like that, I had to wonder why. There has to be some comparison to the 1939 movie and Oz does sort of make some of those bridges in the story. But I mostly come away with just the color and set images than a feeling of being immersed in someone's story. James Franco's Oz is fairly superficial--I feel he just came to the set as if to get some free food and maybe be in a movie. I didn't feel he engaged me like he did when he first hit the scene in James Dean, where you actually thought he was creating an actual person. The witches were pretty good and line deliveries were excellent; but my impression was that they were so unused to being in a fantasy movie that they were internally thinking "what am I doing here". In the 1939 movie Dorothy Gale was the heart and soul, the avatar of wonder, and the embodiment of growth and maturity. I didn't get that feeling from any of these characters. James Franco was a frat boy, the 3 most powerful women around are completely helpless unless a scam artist without any powers can stop a "witches world war". The only saving grace was Joey King as a handicapped girl and the China Girl. She was a true find.
I saw it in 3D, which was fun; but, again, I just came away with the imagery--like going to the museum to see a painting with one-dimensional people.
Pros well paced
Cons bad acting
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Additional information about shooboo could not be loaded.
from Louisville, KY
Age:45 to 54
Gender:Female
Goes to the movies:few times per year
Dialogue
3/ 5
Special Effects
4/ 5
Art Direction
4/ 5
Acting
3/ 5
Story
3/ 5
Camerawork
4/ 5
Should of been more like the original movie. I was disappointed
Cons bad acting, slow
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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from Mobile, AL, USA
Age:25 to 34
Gender:Female
Goes to the movies:once every few months
Dialogue
3/ 5
Special Effects
5/ 5
Art Direction
5/ 5
Acting
3/ 5
Story
5/ 5
Camerawork
5/ 5
The movie's visual effects, camera work, music, art direction and photography was stunningly beautiful. However the casting for some of the key roles could have been much better and lacked what could have been a phenomenal team of strong character leads.
Pros well paced, great story
Cons bad casting
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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from kansas city, MO
Age:25 to 34
Gender:Female
Goes to the movies:monthly
Dialogue
5/ 5
Special Effects
5/ 5
Art Direction
5/ 5
Acting
5/ 5
Story
5/ 5
Camerawork
5/ 5
This was a fantastic movie..... not exactly what I thought it would be but great none the less. This movie tells you how the oz came to be and leads right up to the wizard of oz.... there will be a sequal!!! It's a little scary and adult at times so small children may be scared.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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from LA
Age:35 to 44
Gender:Female
Goes to the movies:once every few months
Dialogue
4/ 5
Special Effects
5/ 5
Art Direction
5/ 5
Acting
4/ 5
Story
4/ 5
Camerawork
5/ 5
liked it very much, it made me feel like at was in oz again good way of telling how some characters we love became how they were.
Pros great actors
Cons slow at times
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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from White Lake, White Lake Township, MI 48383, USA
Age:35 to 44
Gender:Female
Goes to the movies:monthly
Dialogue
4/ 5
Special Effects
5/ 5
Art Direction
5/ 5
Acting
2/ 5
Story
3/ 5
Camerawork
5/ 5
Was super excited for this movie and overall was happy. However; the wicked witch was completely miscast. Almost made me mad. Would have been the best movie ever, had it not been for her.
Cons bad acting
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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from Phoenix, AZ, USA
Age:25 to 34
Gender:Male
Goes to the movies:monthly
Dialogue
4/ 5
Special Effects
5/ 5
Art Direction
5/ 5
Acting
4/ 5
Story
4/ 5
Camerawork
5/ 5
I really liked how the story tied to the old one, not perfect but an enjoyable movie nonetheless.
Pros well paced
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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from Houston
Age:35 to 44
Gender:Female
Goes to the movies:monthly
Dialogue
4/ 5
Special Effects
5/ 5
Art Direction
5/ 5
Acting
4/ 5
Story
5/ 5
Camerawork
5/ 5
Great trip back to see how Oz came to be. We loved the nods to the story we love from our childhood. I highly recommend seeing it in 3D.
Pros well paced, great story
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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from Scarsdale, NY
Dialogue
4/ 5
Special Effects
5/ 5
Art Direction
4/ 5
Acting
4/ 5
Story
5/ 5
Camerawork
4/ 5
I went w my 12 year old son and we loved it. The story is very creative and James Franco makes a great oz. it's a different take on what happened pre wizard of oz than wicked
Enjoyed it thoroughly. Recommend for kids, for a date movie or if you just want something fun and light.
Pros great story
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Additional information about ryanjayreviews could not be loaded.
Dialogue
5/ 5
Special Effects
5/ 5
Art Direction
5/ 5
Acting
5/ 5
Story
5/ 5
Camerawork
5/ 5
It's no easy task bringing Oz to the big screen when the Judy Garland film is definitive. You can't mess with a classic. So Disney, wisely, created a prequel, based loosely on the books by Oz author L. Frank Baum. But the screenplay, while using Baum's characters, locations, and plot devices, is almost entirely original. Screenwriters Mitchell Kapner and David Lindsay-Abaire wrote a story that hits similar beats to the 1939 classic, paying great homage in ways that both honor and inspire nostalgia for it - starting in Kansas in black and white then moving to color; a protagonist meeting friends along a journey; and I'll stop there since I don't do spoilers. But overall the theme of this film, while original and fresh, is as hard hitting, relevant and potentially as culturally significant, as that of The Wizard of Oz. And therein lies its greatest achievement. I love this movie. It's sweet, brilliant and beautiful in story, subtext, visuals and tone.
James Franco is fabulous as the Wizard. He looks gorgeous and is charming. If this isn't necessarily the best performance of his career, he makes a character I hold dear his own. Michelle Williams is always brilliant and I like her take on Glinda. She's upbeat, sophisticated and clever. I'm also a fan of Rachel Weisz and she's strong here but I wish she had used an American accent instead of her native British. She plays sister to Mila Kunis's character who has an American accent and it just doesn't make sense in context. (Then again, Frank Morgan, in The Wizard of Oz, worked an Irish-like accent as the cabbie while Billie Burke as Glinda spoke some Mid-Atlantic twang.) When I interviewed director Sam Raimi, asking him about this dialect choice, he argued for the creative diversity in Oz. As for Mila, she's a scene stealer. And she has to be. But I don't love her make-up and costuming as the Wicked Witch of the West. She's too sexy. Her eyebrows are too thin. She looks a bit like a drag queen but her performance, thankfully, overshadows the shortcomings of the design.
Oz in 3D is unbelievable. This is the closest we may ever get to actually going there. The flowers, the foliage, the Emerald City and yellow brick road... I teared up the first time I saw it. I want to stay in that moment. I love that Sam Raimi directed this film. As he did with his Spider-Man trilogy (making the superhero film bright and colorful, whereas most in the genre are literally dark) he kept Oz gorgeous. Too many in Hollywood have tried to launch an edgy, darkly twisted take on Oz over the years. But Raimi is a master at keeping things visually cheerful while still fierce and exciting. Let Oz remain glorious. Batman can have the drab. The effects are incredible - especially CGI characters Finley and China Girl, two of the most emotionally connected animated characters you've ever seen. These two make you feel.
My biggest lukewarm reaction to the film was registered with its music. History's most successful Oz projects - The Wizard of Oz and Wicked - are both musicals. Resonant theme music is an aid to any film. The Oz score should have been brilliant. It's not. But it's good. I've repeatedly listened to it and it has grown on me; but I prefer many of composer Danny Elfman's previous works to this. His score for Alice in Wonderland was far superior. The Wizard's theme sounds like the start of "O Canada." The Munchkins have a brief musical moment but Danny made the fatal mistake of voicing the song himself and it's as atrocious as the songs he did for Tim Burton's Oompa Loopas in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Finally, Mariah Carey's song over the credits is another wasted opportunity. The rest of the film has an emotional, timeless quality while her arrangement falls flat.
As a Diehard Oz Fan I consider myself an Oz loyalist, mostly to Baum. Yet as much as I hold sacred his 14 books, MGM's The Wizard of Oz is gospel to me, and that film made a considerable number of changes to Baum's story in its adaptation to the screen. In the original book, there are no farmhands or Miss Gulch. Glinda is the witch of the South, not the North. The Wicked Witch of the West isn't green and the ruby slippers are actually silver shoes. Nonetheless, MGM's Wizard indelibly made its iconic mark on the world as the definitive Oz. Then along came Wicked whose author desecrated the land of Oz along with Baum's original intention in creating it. Its heart and soul were restored, however, when Universal mounted Wicked as a Broadway musical. Even if that backstory of the Wicked Witch of the West still doesn't jive with Baum, I've seen it 38 times and couldn't love it more.
Now along comes Oz the Great and Powerful - closer to the spirit of Baum than even the musical Wicked. That being said, it still makes quite a few revisions to his Oz canon. Most of this new film's story is purely original and imaginative, filling in details that Baum never conceived; some are outright contradictions of things he wrote. Speaking personally, I'm okay with that. For whatever reasons the creative team behind the film made them, they work. Since the Disney picture is not actually based on Baum's books or story (but rather just the characters, locations and a bit of lore), I've come to appreciate and embrace the originality at play here. The script is almost like fan fiction, with a spirit as much aligned with that of the 1939 film as any of Baum's text. But that's why I think it's so powerful as a film - pun intended. This is an Oz to set the gorgeous standard for a new generation.
Bottom Line I couldn't have had higher expectations for this film. I went in with the open mind that it could even surpass my love for MGM's The Wizard of Oz. While it didn't do that, it certainly ranks right up there. It grabs you emotionally; it is brilliantly, wisely reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz; and its message is so poignant, this film succeeds. I am thankful for two phenomenal hours of more Oz to love in the world. I am 100% fulfilled.
For more - RyanJayReviews.com
Pros well paced, great story, great actors, gorgeous
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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