Oz The Great And Powerful

Sam Raimi is no mean name in the business of entertainment.  He has given us a superbly webbed trilogy (how corny is that???) over the past decade – one that I am told, held the record for the best opening ever for a really long time.  With Oz The Great And Powerful, Raimi gives us yet another reason to celebrate.

From Stan Lee, Raimi moves on to an era that was technically in the century before last The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was first published in 1900.  Raimi gives us his adaptation of the childhood classic of which my best memory includes Judy Garland with her companions singing, “We are off to see the Wizard, the Wonderful Wizard of Oz”.

 

Raimi’s story, however, has a little twist.  He carves his screenplay around the central character - Oscar Diggs (James Franco), whose favourite hobby seems to be picking up naïve girls by giving them his grandmother’s music box.  He is a magician from the town of Kansas somewhere in the 1800s.

 

However, one li’l girl does get Oz into trouble.  The li’l girl who is dating the circus strongman.  And as Oz is being chased out of his tent and into the Kansas grasslands, he doesn’t notice that the others are running away actually.  By the time Oz realizes his folly, he has been sucked into a tornado.

 

But when he wakes up, his black and white world has been transformed into technicolour and he finds himself in a place that is his namesake.  And welcoming him is Theodora the Good (Mila Kunis) who tells Oz of the prophecy that a Wizard from Kansas will come in and claim his rightful place on the throne of Oz.

 

Sam Raimi then picks on parts of Frank L Baum’s wonderful story to give us an absolute visual treat.  A friend of mine messaged me saying, “Kartik it is the best 3D movie that has been released ever”.  I have to say that I agree with Sandy 100%.  The effects in 3D and that too at the IMAX were just stunning.

 

There is just so much that Raimi pack into the 2 hours that one cannot help but be amazed at the creativity and the thought process behind this work of art.  And Raimi leaves a little door open for a sequel as well.  If there is one, then I just cannot wait for it.  If you haven’t seen this one.  Make a part of your weekend plans @ IMAX.  8 on 10.

 

Watch the trailer on http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3322455833/?ref_=tt_ov_vi