Oz the Great and Powerful

TAKE 1: One Man’s Opinion

…because film is largely subjective 

by Frederick William Springer III

Oz the Great and Powerful

Release Date:  8 March 2013                                                               Runtime:  130 Minutes              

Review Date:  2 June 2013                                                                   Rating:  5 (of 6)

 

Oz the Great and Powerful is a fun film, James Franco delivering in the title role.  (Though, Rachel Weisz leaves you spellbound, giving the best overall performance.)

The color palette was very vibrant, helping transport you to this other earthly world.  The CGI, however, was heavy-handed, particularly with plants, flowers, leaves, squirrels and butterflies, making it look phony and 2 dimensional, almost like a cartoon where they appeared.  Maybe that was the filmmakers' goal in the creation of a fantasy land but, while someone may try to justify it in that way, I do sincerely doubt that was their intention.

Conversely, you have the character of the Little China Girl who looked amazingly lifelike and realistic.  CGI should be that.  That should be the definition of CGI.  That should be how CGI is used.

Oz is supposed to be a prequel to the original novel, not the 1939 movie starring Judy Garland, so you will find continuity issues between the two films.  One odd difference is the Munchkins here seemed to be played more by dwarves whereas they were played mainly by midgets in the other.

I'm sure there will be those that take issue with this opinion but I do believe I enjoyed this more than The Wizard of Oz. 

(I did rewatch that movie afterwards to confirm this sentiment, at which time I noticed 2 glaring plot holes.  1) If Glinda knew the ruby slippers to be powerful and that the Wicked Witch of the West would do all in her power to obtain them, why didn't she take them herself rather than force that burden upon an innocent, defenseless outsider?  She could have protected them better herself.  2) Once putting Dorothy in harm's way, instead of making her take a long journey on the yellow brick road, why didn't she just safely transport her to the Emerald City in a bubble?  Really, Glinda is a reckless, unthoughtful bitch when you think about it.  Never having read the novel, I don't know if this element is from the source material or something added in the adaptation.)