Today we bring you another movie review.
Well, technically this isn't a movie based on a book but since it serves as a spiritual prequel to one of my most beloved fantasy worlds- Oz, I believe it is worthy of a review from a literary standpoint as well.
While the oh-so numerous novels were meant specifically for kids, the movie targets the grown-up audience as well, although the central attention is still the kids.
It shows how the Oz (full acronym OZPINHEAD), came to the land to Oz and became its ruler. The story is surprisingly good and I never truly saw the major twist in the plot till it actually came to the fore, which was in the middle of the movie.
The characters are also well developed and Oz is not the simple, bumbling fool, we have to know in the books but a selfish, deceitful, pompous showman who loves womanising but also has a good heart beneath it all.
Theodora (the Wicked Witch of the West) played by Mila Kunis, is a wonderful character who starts up as a good person and believer in the protection of the people but spurned by Oz's betrayal and the seeds of evil (almost literally) planted by her sister, turns into and evil cackling broom-riding witch.
Evanora (the Wicked Witch of the East) played by Rachel Weisz, is the major antagonist and is probably the most non-gray character in the movie, besides Glinda the Good, who, as you can already tell is good.
A special mention goes out to Finley, the flying monkey, who is one of the most lovable animated creatures of all time and comes up with some witty lines through the movie.
The first half is breezy and the first glimpse into Oz is breathtaking and the 3D effects are in full force. The second half is a traditional good v. evil battle, but it manages to hold your attention well enough. Overall, although, it doesn't rank among the all time greats, it still is a decent watch and may even find a place in my DVD collection.
Signing off,
Utsav
Well, technically this isn't a movie based on a book but since it serves as a spiritual prequel to one of my most beloved fantasy worlds- Oz, I believe it is worthy of a review from a literary standpoint as well.
While the oh-so numerous novels were meant specifically for kids, the movie targets the grown-up audience as well, although the central attention is still the kids.
It shows how the Oz (full acronym OZPINHEAD), came to the land to Oz and became its ruler. The story is surprisingly good and I never truly saw the major twist in the plot till it actually came to the fore, which was in the middle of the movie.
The characters are also well developed and Oz is not the simple, bumbling fool, we have to know in the books but a selfish, deceitful, pompous showman who loves womanising but also has a good heart beneath it all.
Theodora (the Wicked Witch of the West) played by Mila Kunis, is a wonderful character who starts up as a good person and believer in the protection of the people but spurned by Oz's betrayal and the seeds of evil (almost literally) planted by her sister, turns into and evil cackling broom-riding witch.
Evanora (the Wicked Witch of the East) played by Rachel Weisz, is the major antagonist and is probably the most non-gray character in the movie, besides Glinda the Good, who, as you can already tell is good.
A special mention goes out to Finley, the flying monkey, who is one of the most lovable animated creatures of all time and comes up with some witty lines through the movie.
The first half is breezy and the first glimpse into Oz is breathtaking and the 3D effects are in full force. The second half is a traditional good v. evil battle, but it manages to hold your attention well enough. Overall, although, it doesn't rank among the all time greats, it still is a decent watch and may even find a place in my DVD collection.
Signing off,
Utsav
Thanks for the heads up on this. I want to see it but wasn't sure if it was worth the time and money.
ReplyDeleteThough I still enjoyed it in the end and it's not terrible, it just has too many frustrating aspects which all stem from a messy script. That’s okay though, especially since I had a good time at the end of the day. Great review Utsav.
ReplyDeleteI WANT TO WATCH!
ReplyDeleteSaw it with my sisters this weekend. It was fun, cute, colorful, tried to make me cry (I can be an easy cry), and while I figured beforehand that one of the witches trying to pass herself off as good would end up being the Wicked Witch of the West, the "getting there" was still enough of a surprise to please me. Congrats to those involved for making Oz actually likable despite his tendency to make me shake my head at some of his fool actions.
ReplyDeleteInteresting!! I've wanted to see this but was uncertain as to whether it would be any good or not. Seems it is!
ReplyDelete