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A prequel to the “Wizard of Oz” where we learn how Oz became the wizard.
Oz the Great and Powerful (played by James Franco) is the stage name of a two-bit traveling circus magician in Kansas. Oz, running from a jealous boyfriend, jumps on a hot air balloon to escape.
Unfortunately, Oz gets caught up in a tornado. After a rough ride, he finds himself in a very colorful land greeted by, Mila Kunis (as Theodora). He also saves a doorman attired flying monkey named Finley (voiced by Zach Braff) who pledges his life to the new wizard, Oz.
We already know that Oz is not a real wizard, but, he is a fair magician. In “Oz the Great and Powerful” Oz proves that he just might be worthy of the title, “The Wizard of Oz”.
“Oz the Great and Powerful” starts out great, gets a bit tiring in the middle (I caught myself dozing…), then picks up again for the ending. Overall it is a good movie. Fun for the whole family. No f-words, no cussing at all. Kids loved it as did the adults. Some parts were very funny.
I loved the black & white small screen beginning changing (slowly) to wide screen color at Oz. Fantastic.
James Franco is perfectly cast. His natural goofy ass smile suits Oz’s ingenuous personality to a tee. Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, and Michelle Williams are wonderful. But…I have to give special kudos to the fabulous Tony Cox (as Knuck) who (like he did in “Bad Santa”) brings the word curmudgeon to life.
Go to IMDb for more information. We watched this moves at the Tracy, CA CineMark where our poster is still up! Oh, they are putting in new chairs! Very nice.
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Drive Safe! Never Forget.
ForCarol: Drive Safe! Never Forget 