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Sunday, April 7, 2013

One Minute Movie Review: Oz The Great and Powerful


Sam Raimi, who has had an illustrious career to date with 20 movies to his name ranging from one of the most classic tongue in cheek horror series to chick flicks and sentimental fare most recently resurrecting the comic icon wall crawler brings us the rare instance where a prequel is worthy of its original.    Victor Fleming would have applauded Raimi's effort in telling the tale of Oz's fabled entrance into L. Frank Baum's innovative realm of wonder and woe.   I am not a huge fan in any way shape or form of Franco, but he provides a satisfactory performance, mostly mechanical but occasionally finding a symbiosis with his character.  However, there is a plethora of actors with far more talent that could have added the appropriate dimensions and whimsy to the role.   Kunis, Weisz, and Williams, on the other hand, knock it out of the park as the three witches.  Their performances are as dazzling as the incredible CGI effects that Raimi utilized to bring the wonderful world of Oz to brilliant and beautiful life.  His vision is stunning, to say the least, like Avatar meets Willy Wonka in vibrant color, sweep, and spectrum.   For the kiddies, don't look for any musical numbers that made the original so endearing and it is a bit  scarier than the 1939 cinematic legend, but don't allow those factors prevent you from taking the rug-rats on this magical journey.  Look for some unique Easter eggs, foreshadowing, and an appearance by Raimi alumni Bruce Campbell.   3 out of 5 Kernels:  A movie with brains, heart, and nerve minus any fancy footwear.  

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