When I heard that Disney was planning to make “Oz The Great and Powerful” I was sceptical and concerned that it might be a complete and utter mistake, why do we need an imagined origins story for the age-old classic The Wizard of Oz?
At the preview screening there was green “Oz Popcorn” on my seat to great me and tables of make-up artists painting the faces of little witches, it was clear that Disney were working hard to show they appreciated the nostalgia that the land of Oz inspires – a good sign. The story begins in black and white, “somewhere in Kansas”, it’s 1905 and sees conman/lothario illusion artist Oscar “Oz” Diggs (James Franco) working his cheap magic on a series of women backstage, before performing a magic show that leaves his audience less than impressed. He’s a small-time magician with big aspirations of greatness but with little belief in his own ability to achieve them. He thinks he’s no good, so surprise surprise – he is no good – he’s a bad friend, a heart-breaker and always runs away from commitment.
A freak storm sees Oz ripped from his circus life in Kansas by a fierce tornado and thrust into the wild and wacky world of Oz in stunning technicolour. I watched the film in 3D and the scene where his battered hot-air-balloon basket crash lands in Oz, in the middle of a rushing river, is one of the best examples of 3D action I’ve ever scene in cinema. As Oz’s basket smashes it’s way downstream the river swirling around him is so vivid that I could almost feel splashes of spraying water and wind blowing in my face. It was quite literally breathtaking. Disney’s visual depiction of the land of Oz, maintained the visual intensity and vibrancy of that sequence and genuinely encapsulated a beauty and wonder of Oz never seen before in any of cinema’s previous visits to the magical land.
Ultimately, this is a tale of one man’s journey inside his own heart to find the greatness he has spent a lifetime running away from.”
Oz is mistaken for “the great and powerful” Wizard of Oz on his arrival by witch Theodora (Mila Kunis) and instead of doing the right thing and coming clean, he maintains his con, attempting to fool the people of the Emerald City in order to become King of Oz and get his hands on the treasure, power and greatness he so pitifully lacked back in Kansas. Convinced by Evanora (Rachel Weisz) that in order to become King, he has to go into the Forest to kill the “wicked” witch – Glinda (Michelle Williams), Oz embarks on a journey that changes him forever.
In typical Oz fashion, the quest sees him take on character-building experiences and on the way he meets some fantastic characters, favourites of mine being the China Girl (Joey King) and Finley (Zack Braff), who provide some well-timed comic relief and some genuinely moving and emotional input that give this story it’s heart.
Ultimately, this is a tale of one man’s journey inside his own heart to find the greatness he has spent a lifetime running away from. And the magic in this tale rests in Oz’s self-discovery of just how great and an ordinary person can really be without being “great and powerful”. And for me, Disney nailed it, James Franco is perfect as Oz and Zack Braff as his trusty sidekick is at his funny and lovable best. There are beastly flying monkeys, munchkins and the visuals are supreme throughout.
Throughout the film I laughed, I was moved and in the end I was left entertained and warmed by the whole experience, I even went home to watch the original Wizard of Oz with my new found knowledge of how the “wonderful Wizard” came to be. If you’re a big kid like me and appreciate a bit of nostalgia, this one is definitely for you and for once, it was a good example of how 3D can be used to great effect. No doubt, this will be a hit over this Easter period.
