Oz: The Great and Powerful - Part 1

[Majik1387]

Saw this last night, my thoughts; Possible spoilers.

While I appreciated the difference film ratio, I was over it a bit, but at least the story of the traveling carnival was captivating enough for me not to pay too much mind to it. I liked pretty much all the double casting in the real world to Oz, pleasantly surprised at Annie's inclusion. Randomness, when the strongman goes after Franco, my first thought was honestly 'That's why the undies wouldn't work on Superman' /end randomness.
Franco does an overall good job being the conman, but at times he seemed out of his element; I'm not saying I would have preferred RDJ(who I actually tried picturing in the movie, but didn't see working at all), but I do think maybe there was another actor who better fit the role.
I kind of understand the distaste Kunis has been getting, mainly because of her voice, but honestly I think those complaints are unjustified and most likely come from people who haven't even read the book. The Wicked Witch in the book honestly probably would sound more like Kunis than from the original movie, and I appreciated that.
Rachel Weisz did a great job balancing out her roles, only had minor nitpicks with her really(the way she flew sometimes and how she says her last line to Glinda), but I think that had more to do with her direction and editing.
Michelle Williams was probably my biggest surprise here. I'm not saying I'm not a fan of hers, but I was never really big into her or most the movies she happened to be in, but here she totally won my heart.
I don't think Zack Braff has ever made me laugh before this movie, he was a perfect fit for Finley.
China Girl was great though, her meltdown at the signs on the yellow brick road was probably the most hysterical part of the movie, especially with her line of "Let's go kill us a witch!" it was hilarious.
Didn't really care for Nook, seemed to have way too much of a modern day, real world attitude and he just didn't work for me.

The overall story I found good and while little reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland, it defeinitely was its own thing and felt a lot more entertaining, and honestly, it was as colorful as Wonderland should have been as well. Musically it's probably my favorite modern day Danny Elfman score I've heard in a while, major kudos.

I felt Raimi could have directed a bit better but it was decent enough to pass for me. I appreciated his horror elements thrown in as I feel most fairytale movies need that element inside of them. A lot of this is also due to the amazing Greg Nicotero's make up jobs throughout the movie.

Overall, I'm at a 8/10 mindset; would definitely love to see again.
And I'll just say I haven't seen one good idea from any posters regarding a sequel.

 

[bullets]

The best moment in the film is when Finley without speaking asks to be picked up. And Oscar ignores him.

At the screening I went to most of the dark forest scenes got big laughs. Especially when Finley moos.




I really enjoyed this film. Raimi did a great job. No complaints other than Mila wasn't ugly enough as a witch.

 

[terry78]

Yes, as creepy nerd as it may be, she was not so repulsive that I would turn it down.

 

[bullets]

I couldn't help but notice her cleavage and think .. I can work with this

 

[terry78]

I do have to commend the vfx people on China Girl though. That is one of the best looking CG characters I've ever seen.

 

[Brain Damage]

I do have to commend the vfx people on China Girl though. That is one of the best looking CG characters I've ever seen.

She looked great. Franco holding her did not.

 

[Project862006]

this film has a great score danny elfman has consistently been one of the best composers going today

 

[bullets]

I do have to commend the vfx people on China Girl though. That is one of the best looking CG characters I've ever seen.

I thought the plants looked a bit cartoonish , but the fairies , porcelain , monkeys , and witch fight all looked great.

 

[ShadowBoxer]

Just got back from seeing it. It was pretty decent on a scale to 1-10 I would give it like a 7.5/10 maybe an 8 to be generous. Franco did a decent job do did the rest of the cast ( Michelle Williams stood out) and Mila did well over all though I do agree with some of the complaints regarding her portrayal. The visuals were great and the ramiisoms were spot on as well. Also really dug the nods/ references to the original film. This is definitely worth seeing if your a fan of OZ!

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

I make it a point to see any movies that I can that involve magicians so this qualified. All the homages or allusions that they could legally fit in were nice to connect to the old movie. Rachel Weisz was the best (or at least the most exciting) human performer in the film, with Michelle Williams a second (as Blanda, I mean Glinda). Franco wears his crap-eating grin with aplomb as usual, his womanizing con man ways as a character I liked but it wasn't a good performance. Kunis's performance wasn't that great either--it got worse as time goes by in the story--but her character got to be one of my favorite character tropes. I like her best before Oz [blackout]leaves the Emerald City[/blackout], she was lovely. The side characters like China Girl and Finley weren't annoying, which was a relief. Some of the humor particularly involving these two was usually good. There's some stuff I could imagine is going to be a whole lot more boring on a second watch like the visual gimmick sequences. Quite a bit of leaps of logic and conviences in the script which will require turning your brain off, but I let it slide since it's supposed to be a dream fantasy. What it lacks in brains it makes up with in charm. But overall it was a fun movie worth seeing once, though at what price will vary from person to person. (6.5 out of 10)

 

[Ultimatehero]

Seeing it again tomorrow D-Box. Then probably going to take my sister to it next weekend. Total of three times in theaters. Just working on a Baum property and reading that story plus 'Wizard of Oz' has seriously made me a fan of his work. And to me this film got the closest to the kind of adventurous tone his books have.

 

[Liam_H]

Enjoyed this movie quite a bit although the first half just felt a bit clunky in how the scenes were stitched together. I enjoyed Michelle Williams performance the most. She completely sold the sincerity of the character for me.

 

[Hush]

I thought this was mediocre and Francos performance was iffy. He would go from great to corn at the drop of a hat and that was just annoying. Supporting cast was much better.

 

[Primal Slayer]

While I haven't seen this yet, I wish they would have used this movie to set up a new Wizard of Oz movie.

 

[Mad Ones]

Just saw it. It was decent. I enjoyed myself so I guess the film succeeded. It was very entertaining visually to watch.

But what I did enjoy were the moments that made me nostalgic for the original. I don't think the movie really stands on its own legs for me.

And I thought Oz as a character was really weak. I found him either boring or *****ey for most of the film. I would have preferred a prequel movie that focused on the witches a little more, by maybe making the protagonist Glinda? While I enjoyed the Witches, I felt they were a little reserved sometimes.

But damn! That is how you do flying in a movie. It was perfect.

 

[Ultimatehero]

While I haven't seen this yet, I wish they would have used this movie to set up a new Wizard of Oz movie.

They most likely are in the third film. Second doesn't make sense since Oz leaves in Wizard of Oz.

 

[Primal Slayer]

Have they even discussed the possibility of another movie?

Just saw it. It was decent. I enjoyed myself so I guess the film succeeded. It was very entertaining visually to watch.

But what I did enjoy were the moments that made me nostalgic for the original. I don't think the movie really stands on its own legs for me.

And I thought Oz as a character was really weak. I found him either boring or *****ey for most of the film. I would have preferred a prequel movie that focused on the witches a little more, by maybe making the protagonist Glinda? While I enjoyed the Witches, I felt they were a little reserved sometimes.

But damn! That is how you do flying in a movie. It was perfect.

At least they will be the focus whenever Wicked gets made.

 

[dark_b]

 

[Silvermoth]

I thought it was okay. Kunis was great, I thought Weisz would have done better as a villian but she didn't have alot to work with. Franco's facial expressions were spot on but he didn't have a very theatrical voice. Loved the Bruce Campbell cameo and the CGI was amazing but the original is still way, way better of course. I didn't mean to compare the but it's pretty easy which movie is the best.

 

[Project862006]

‘Oz’ Wizardry Powers Great $150.2M Global: $80.3M Domestic Is 2013′s First Huge Weekend And Third Highest March Debut

 

[Tony Stark]

this film has a great score danny elfman has consistently been one of the best composers going today

Sorry but I thought the score was terrible. Everything Elfman writes anymore seems like a rehash of Beetlejuice.

 

[terry78]

Good, Raimi....good. I know some were worried about this being another John Carter but I think the combination of the Oz brand coupled with the well known actors worked.

 

[def28]

this film has a great score danny elfman has consistently been one of the best composers going today

Musically it's probably my favorite modern day Danny Elfman score I've heard in a while, major kudos.

Agreed.

Best from Elfman in awhile.

‘Oz’ Wizardry Powers Great $150.2M Global: $80.3M Domestic Is 2013′s First Huge Weekend And Third Highest March Debut

Awesome! Glad it's doing good. Lotta good stories in Oz. Would prefer they go with sequels here rather then Alice.

 

[DaRkVeNgeanCe]

I really cannot undertand the people saying Kunis was great, regardless of the source material she just was not frightening or threatening which is what her character is supposed to be.

 

[dark_b]

I really cannot undertand the people saying Kunis was great, regardless of the source material she just was not frightening or threatening which is what her character is supposed to be.

she was as scary and she could be in a Disney PG rated movie for kids. Raimi wanted to make this movie for adults and 4-5 year old kids.