Often there are movies that come out in theaters that I really, really, really want to see. For some odd reason whenever my husband and I plan on going to the movies something pops up and we don’t go. Before we know it the movie we really wanted to see is long gone and we have to wait for it to come out on Blu-ray before we can see it. Such is the case with the film Oz the Great and Powerful. I wanted to see the movie the moment I learned about it. We missed it when it was in theaters. Thankfully I received a free screener copy to review so I was finally able to see the film.
Oz the Great and Powerful stars James Franco as Oz. Oz is a small time magician who works with a traveling carnival. While he is a good magician, he’s not exactly the nicest person. He treats his assistant Frank (Zach Braff) as if he’s a ‘trained monkey”. He also makes women fall in love with him and then breaks their hearts.
One night Oz is being chased by the boyfriend of one of the women he seduced and tries to hide in a hot air balloon. He uses the balloon to aid in his escape only to find the balloon getting sucked up in a tornado.
I should point out that the beginning of the film is in black and white and the screen is very small, like a box.
Oz spins out of control within the vortex of the tornado. He begs and pleads for his life, vowing to be a better person if he is able to survive being tossed about within the tornado.
Suddenly the balloon is tossed out of the tornado. The screen opens up to full screen and everything is in color (and very colorful too I might add). Oz now finds himself floating above a beautiful, mysterious land.
When his balloon crash lands into a lake Oz is immediately greeted by a beautiful woman name Theodora (Mila Kunis). Theodora was thrilled to see Oz. As per a prophecy a great and powerful wizard would appear in their land and help save the people from the evil witch. Shortly after they meet the evil witch’s scary monkey guards try and hunt the pair down. They were able to escape by hiding in a cave.
Theodora takes Oz back to the Emerald City where he meets her sister Evanora (Rachel Weisz) . He also learns that both women are witches. They need his help to destroy the evil witch.
Oz takes off to find the evil witch with his new friend Finley (a trained monkey who is also voiced by Zach Braff) whose life he saved on his way to the Emerald City.
Along the way the pair help rescue a young girl name China Girl because she’s made out of fine china.
The group eventually end up in a creepy cemetery and discover that the evil witch is there. In order to kill her they need to get her magic wand and destroy it. The only problem is the witch they are about to destroy is not the evil witch at all. She’s Glinda (Michelle Williams) the good witch. It’s her evil sister Evanora who wants her dead because she blames her for their father’s death. Theodora is caught in the middle of her sisters, that is until she becomes jealous of her beautiful sister Glinda and her relationship with Oz. Her jealousy literally turns her green with envy.
What transpires is an epic battle between good and evil. Only one witch will end up being victorious, but which one? And what happens to Oz? Is he able to return home or is he stuck in this alternate world? To find out you need to pick up a copy of Oz the Great and Powerful, available on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Download June 11, 2013 where ever movies are sold.
The movie was exactly how I thought it would be – visually stunning, epic and magical.
I thought Michelle Williams made the perfect Glinda. I also think that Rachel Weisz did a great job as Evanora. Oddly enough I wasn’t overly impressed with Mila Kunis as Theodora, but she played a great evil witch.
Some of the backgrounds and scenes seemed a bit fake, especially for movie like this. For example, the butterflies almost looked like cartoons, not real butterflies. I realize that they were in a magical land so nothing is suppose to look real, but they didn’t even seem realistic. Other parts of the film, such as the Evanora’s monkey soliders, were VERY realistic looking. The character China Girl looked incredibly real too.
My family enjoyed the movie, including my hard to impress teenagers. My husband is convinced that there was enough of a “door” open at the end that could lead into a sequel of sorts. I tend to agree with him. Anything is possible.
There are A LOT of great bonus features on the Blu-ray. Here are a few of my favorite bonus features.
China Girl and the Suspension of Disbelief – This featurette shows viewers how the character of China Girl was created and all the work that went into making sure that she was as realistic looking as possible. Believe it or not they made an marionette of the character and used her in the life action scenes as a point of reference for the live actors, and to help animators bring her to life. It was really fascinating to watch.
Mila’s Metamorphosis – In this featurette you’ll watch Mila magically transform into the evil Theodora. You’ll watch as make up artists transform her using foam facial pieces, glue, paint and other tricks of their trade. You’ll also hear from Mila and learn about what it was like to have to wear all that make up for hours at a time. I think it’s pretty cool how they do this.
Walt Disney and the Road to Oz – I never knew that Walt Disney had a long time fascination with the classic Baum books. Walt Disney tried for years to bring the Wizard to Oz story to life. He even had to wait for many years to buy the rights to the books from another film studio. Did you know that he used the Mickey Mouse Club children to create a skit loosely based on the books? I also learned the film Return to Oz was a Disney film and Oz the Great and Powerful is the story that Walt Disney tried for so many years to bring to life.
There are many other interesting bonus features. The above mentioned ones are my favorite.
For more information about this film you can visit the official website at http://Disney.go.com/TheWizard/. There you can find downloads, games, gallery and more.
You can also follow the film on Facebook and Twitter.
Here is the film’s trailer for your enjoyment.
Kimberly
*I received a free screener copy in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
Sarah Hirsch says
we saw this movie in the theater. it was a visually stunning movie and my kids really enjoyed it!
Helen T says
I love this movie, can’t wait to get the DVD!
Dayna says
i loved this movie when i saw it in theaters! i might just have to buy the dvd.