Random thoughts after watching “Oz The Great and Powerful”
(this is not a review, just random notes):
(1) ALICE IN WONDERLAND! The Tim Burton version, not the
novel. One is the sequel and one is the prequel, both are colorful and visually
stunning fairy tales, with big stars in luxurious makeup acting evil and crazy.
Oh yes, and both directors used to direct their own superhero franchise. These
2 movies are distant relatives... in fact I would say close relatives, maybe
even siblings.
(2) So the visual effects are great, like really great. Even
the black & white part of the movie is beautiful. The porcelain city, the
emerald city, and the dark wood are great visuals. Learn from the expert, Jack
the Giant Slayer.
(3) Alice in Wonderland is not the only movie connection.
How can we leave out The Wizard of Oz? In the original 1939 film, multiple
actors / actresses played several parts, one from the reality and the other
from Oz. This movie uses the same concept, with Oz's assistant in the circus
acting as his "assistant" in Oz (that cute but mostly annoying
monkey), the girl in wheelchair is also the porcelain girl, etc. Since Michelle
Williams appears in the reality world, why can't they let Mila Kunis be the
eager assistant as well? It makes sense, since Theodora is quite obsessed with
Oz in The Land of Oz too.
(4) Speaking of Mila Kunis, so we know she plays the witch
even after she transforms. But with that heavy makeup and green skin and all,
we barely recognize her (well, we know it's her because... err, go watch the
movie and you'll know what I mean). It leaves the "fresh-face" Mila
Kunis appearing in the movie for about 30 minutes. Such a waste.
(5) If Oz is indeed not a wizard but just an illusionist,
did they explain how he perform his first trick after he cut off the wire, and
then made the girl disappear? A lot of the tricks in the movie were left unexplained.
It will be interesting if the movie can use a little time to do that, which
bring us to...
(6) The movie runs at 130 minutes, but the simple story does
not require that long to be told. If they could make the story shorter, it will
be much more entertaining.
(7) James Franco did his best to carry the film, and he
didn't fail. He's charming and funny, but like Johnny Depp in most of his Tim
Burton movies, this character is underwritten so it leaves James Franco no
choice but to act like a clown most of the movie. Okay, that is not as bad as
it sounds, at least you laugh exactly when he wants you to laugh.
(8) So the above-mentioned porcelain city is conveniently
named Chinatown, haha. Good thinking, good pun.
(9) Cameo: The cowardly lion & scarecrow from the
Dorothy story, Okay, the lifeless scarecrows are not exactly the scarecrow from
that story but at least it's scarecrow. Did I miss Tin Man? I don't think I
did. So he missed the shooting?
(10) Final verdict: 3.5 stars out of 5. Watch it if you like
The Wizard of Oz or Alice in Wonderland. Or even maybe Your Highness (you know,
that crappy movie where James Franco & Natalie Portman & basically
everyone else acted silly).
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