Rating of
2.5/4
Neither great nor powerful
sreekirch - wrote on 07/28/13
Neither great nor powerful enough, but it has the heart at various points and the ultimate humor that works on to entertain for the final act. Director Sam Raimi, introduces the film with old and classy way , then suddenly bedazzles with rich colors and the land of Oz. James Franco was almost wasted for most of the film, with gimmick tricks , slapstick humor and most of all an idiotic and silly characterization. But looks like, Raimi has kept his best part for the last act. There is a sudden trick there and Franco brings the spark to his character, in the most entertaining way. I did not care much about the female characters. The Giant wicked witch looked sober and clumsy. The assistant is also badly shaped up. Michelle Williams who appears twice in the film, takes the leading role to Franco. Action is intelligent, not violent. It was not power packed and neither great.
Few tricks do work to entertain us. The best part comes where the deeply lied truth is to be exposed to the citizens who believe in the wizard. Oh here is the truth! Franco is the con man and a magician, not the wizard people are believing. But he does it so well, and Raimi justifies the situation perfectly. Is that all enough to give it a super grade. No , the first ninety minutes looks cliched and even the CGI creatures were ugly.To save the best, Raimi wants us to patiently digest the cliched acts and perfunctory humor from Franco.
The big plot here is missing. I would not say it exactly, but I would give a hint saying the wand. After the movie, everyone will be thinking on it. Indeed, Oz was entertaining and quite ended well. But the start being outdated, and the action not being power packed, would surely astound the viewers. Demand is right and the film scores for a pass. Yes I would pass the film, it should have been better considering the lead casts and director’s name.
