The 2013 Disney fantasy adventure 'Oz the Great and Powerful' has failed to leave a lasting impression, with its lackluster casting and weak narrative overshadowing what could have been an enchanting origin story.
In a departure from L. Frank Baum's original tale, Sam Raimi's film instead focuses on the titular character, Oscar Diggs (played by James Franco), a con artist who stumbles upon a magical world after his hot air balloon gets swept away by a tornado. The movie attempts to reimagine Oz as a self-made wizard who must come to terms with his own powerlessness in order to take down the witch sisters.
However, Franco's casting proves problematic given the emerging allegations of misconduct against him. His character's objectification and womanizing also detract from the film's intended message about the importance of empathy and understanding.
The plot is convoluted, relying heavily on convenient plot devices and contrivances to drive the narrative forward. Raimi's signature style is evident in the film's visual effects, but they now seem dated compared to modern CGI standards.
One of the most glaring issues with 'Oz the Great and Powerful' is its failure to live up to the standard set by Baum's original tale. The film's portrayal of Glinda, a character who serves as both a benevolent guide and a symbol of female empowerment, feels shallow and underdeveloped.
Furthermore, the movie's attempts at social commentary fall flat due to its reliance on male-dominated power structures. Oz's charisma is touted as the key to saving the land from the witch sisters, rather than any genuine sense of justice or compassion.
Despite these criticisms, 'Oz the Great and Powerful' remains a visually stunning film that successfully captures the whimsical spirit of L. Frank Baum's world. Its themes of self-discovery and growth are well-intentioned but poorly executed.
Ultimately, while 'Oz the Great and Powerful' may be an enjoyable watch in moderation, it feels like a missed opportunity to truly explore the complexities of Oz's world and its characters. For fans looking for a deeper dive into the Wizard of Oz universe, Raimi's 1985 sequel 'Return to Oz' remains a more unsettling but fascinating alternative.
In a departure from L. Frank Baum's original tale, Sam Raimi's film instead focuses on the titular character, Oscar Diggs (played by James Franco), a con artist who stumbles upon a magical world after his hot air balloon gets swept away by a tornado. The movie attempts to reimagine Oz as a self-made wizard who must come to terms with his own powerlessness in order to take down the witch sisters.
However, Franco's casting proves problematic given the emerging allegations of misconduct against him. His character's objectification and womanizing also detract from the film's intended message about the importance of empathy and understanding.
The plot is convoluted, relying heavily on convenient plot devices and contrivances to drive the narrative forward. Raimi's signature style is evident in the film's visual effects, but they now seem dated compared to modern CGI standards.
One of the most glaring issues with 'Oz the Great and Powerful' is its failure to live up to the standard set by Baum's original tale. The film's portrayal of Glinda, a character who serves as both a benevolent guide and a symbol of female empowerment, feels shallow and underdeveloped.
Furthermore, the movie's attempts at social commentary fall flat due to its reliance on male-dominated power structures. Oz's charisma is touted as the key to saving the land from the witch sisters, rather than any genuine sense of justice or compassion.
Despite these criticisms, 'Oz the Great and Powerful' remains a visually stunning film that successfully captures the whimsical spirit of L. Frank Baum's world. Its themes of self-discovery and growth are well-intentioned but poorly executed.
Ultimately, while 'Oz the Great and Powerful' may be an enjoyable watch in moderation, it feels like a missed opportunity to truly explore the complexities of Oz's world and its characters. For fans looking for a deeper dive into the Wizard of Oz universe, Raimi's 1985 sequel 'Return to Oz' remains a more unsettling but fascinating alternative.
... i mean, james franco wasnt my cup of tea in this one... felt like they were trying to make him into a likable guy but it came across as kinda shallow 
. and don't even get me started on the plot devices 
... it just felt like they were rushing through the story without giving us enough time to really connect with the characters 
. i did love the visuals tho 
, but that's about where it ended for me... if you're a die-hard oz fan, i can see why you'd want to watch this, but for someone who loves a good story 
, there are definitely better options out there 
. And Franco's character just feels like he's trying way too hard to be a bad boy 
. I mean, I get it, he was accused of some stuff and the filmmakers were trying to distance him from the role, but come on, it still comes across as kinda problematic 
.
. She's just a prop to help Franco's character feel like a hero, you know? I mean, where's the depth? Where's the substance? It feels like they took all the fun and whimsy of Oz and replaced it with some generic, surface-level stuff 
. And don't even get me started on the plot...it's like they took all these cool ideas from Baum's original story and just phoned them in 
At least 'Return to Oz' tried to be a little more edgy and weird 
...I'd totally watch that again over this mess 
. I know some people might say it's dated, but I think that's part of its charm? The film's just not as strong as the books, you feel me? Sam Raimi tried to put his own spin on things, but sometimes you gotta leave well enough alone. Franco's character is pretty whiny too 
.
but honestly, it feels like they took some major creative liberties and forgot about the original story 
like they just phoned it in. And don't even get me started on the plot holes 
I mean, 'Return to Oz' is still my fave 
that one's more like an actual story 
James Franco's inclusion in this movie is like buying a hot air balloon that just happens to blow away in a storm... it's not a bad thing per se, but you're left wondering if it was really worth it 
It only grossed $493M worldwide on a budget of $230M 
. Not too shabby, I guess...
. And don't even get me started on how they handled the whole thing with the witch sisters and the girls in Oz... It's like they took all the positive messages from Baum's original book and just threw 'em out the window 
. But at the same time, you can tell they're missing the point of what made Baum's tale so special in the first place - it's like they're trying to fit Oz into a modern framework instead of letting its unique charm shine through.
. I mean, Oz is supposed to be this self-made wizard who's all about empathy and understanding... but when you look closer, it's just him using his charisma to save the day 
. She's such an iconic character and Franco just doesn't do her justice 
. The whole thing feels like it could've been so much more with a stronger female lead 
. And don't even get me started on the plot, it's like they took every cool idea and just kinda... forgot where to put them 
. The CGI is still pretty sweet though 
. But hey, I guess it's still pretty to look at 
.
And it's still fun to watch in moderation, even if it doesn't hold up as a masterpiece 
.