Today I went to go see Oz the Great and Powerful. I was relatively excited because Zach Braff, James Franco (swoon), and Mila Kunis were in the cast- those three actors are brilliant. I mean c’mon Scrubs and That 70s Show?! Awesome.
So I sat in the cinema and was ready for some magic. The film started off in black and white- much like the original The Wizard of Oz. But this was no musical like Judy Garland's original 1939 "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" and no Broadway musical like the Prequel "Wicked". This time Disney harks back to the original L. Frank Baum children's books though it happens even earlier. I knew that the story was going to be how the wizard, well, became the wizard.
Oscar, or as he refers to himself-Oz, was a carnival magician who got swept away in a hot air balloon and through a twister into the magical Land of Oz. There he meets Mila Kunis- the witch Theodora- and she tells him that there was a prophecy that said one day a wizard by the name of their land would come, save them all from the wicked witch, and become king. On the way to the Emerald City, they meet a flying monkey, Finley, and befriend him. Finley knows that Oz isn’t a real wizard, and keeps the secret.
In order for Oz to have all the riches that come with the kingdom, he must destroy the wicked witch’s wand, which would kill her. Reluctantly, he goes on his way with Finley. They end up in China Town, which was destroyed by the wicked witch’s flying baboons. They meet a porcelain doll and she joins their motley crew.
They finally meet Glinda, who was apparently the wicked witch. However, she shows the trio that Evanora, Theodora’s sister, is the true wicked one. A battle ensues out of the rage of Evanora and she turns Theodora wicked as well- together, the two sisters are cruel and soulless tyrants who have made it their goal to rid of both the wizard and Glinda. Knowing that he isn’t even a real wizard at all, but just a mortal man, Glinda and Oz go to Glinda’s kingdom and make all the good people into a clever army of passive yet clever soldiers.
Passing through the gates of the Emerald City like the Trojan Horse, the good army saves Glinda from capture, rids of the ugly and wicked Theodora, and Oz is now rightfully king.
Now, this film seems like a pretty lame kid’s film, but I can assure you it is a truly great work of art. The budget was $215 million; it’s a pretty lofty goal, but worth it for the gorgeous scenery and special effects. It made me jump a few times, which is rare, I laughed ‘till my sides hurt, and fell in love with the characters. It isn’t cheesy and it isn’t stereotypical- it’s a ride of adventure and surprises. There were tons of plot twists even I didn’t see coming, and I predicted Fight Club. I was fascinated by every visual and enticed by every new sound effect. Not a dull moment or a second I felt as though didn’t belong in the story. Everything was perfect.
If you get a chance, go out and experience the magic. As for the music- pretty much typical background epicness. Not a pop tune in all the land.