Oz the Great and Powerful
Starring: James Franco, Michelle Williams, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz
Directed By: Sam Raimi
Reviewed by Danielle Muir
[rating: 4/5]
Treading on such hallowed turf as The Wizard of Oz was a gamble for Sam Raimi and his team, particularly as his latest Oz the Great and Powerful will be instantly compared to the classic, considering the films are set in the same fabled land. Raimi thankfully has included not only winks of homage to the original, but has re-imagined a new, spectacular world of Oz that I’m sure wouldn’t have been far off the money had the original creators had access to the technology.
But all the visual effects in the world couldn’t have compensated for the most important part of this film’s success – whether James Franco can pull off the iconic role of a young Oz. A role that requires charisma, showmanship and sincerity. Luckily, anyone familiar with the actor knows he has all of this by the bucket load, and puts in a brilliant performance that drives the show. The Oz we’re introduced to is a carnival magician – talented but distracted by his penchant for women. Upon being busted flirting with the strongman’s girl, he escapes the jealous pound of muscle by hightailing it in a hot air balloon – the course of which collides with an oncoming cyclone. Crashlanding, he steps out to marvel at a vibrant unknown land where every person he meets believes him to be the prophesised wizard come to free the land from the tyranny of the wicked witch.
The Oz Raimi has created is reminiscent of a happier ‘Underland’ seen in Tim Burton’s adaption of Alice in Wonderland. Enormous flowers bloom, small creatures flitter about singing and humming, there are lush forests and small villages made entirely of china. All the iconic landmarks such as the poppy fields, the Emerald City and of course the yellow brick road have had new life breathed into them – very nostalgic viewing. But what of the most iconic element of all – the wicked witch? This was one of my only small qualms with the film. Along his travels Oz meets the three witch sisters – Elanora (Weisz), Theodora (Kunis) and Glinda (Williams), whom he has various dalliances with before unravelling the truth. Unfortunately it’s been too easy to figure out who’s the fabled green wench – also once the reveal is made the actress doesn’t totally inhabit how I believe the character should have been played – stooped, cackling and ugly in every manner.
Oz the Great and Powerful is marvellous and grand, and will appeal to both lovers of the original, fans of Franco and anyone who’s craving a good dose of classic storytelling with the lavish trimmings of 21st century technology.
