My Thoughts On Oz: The Great and Powerful

Move over Man of Steel, this is now my most anticipated movie for next year. By now,  you may have seen the trailer for Oz: The Great and Powerful.  Which serves as a prequel story to The Wizard of Oz a la Wicked.  Though in this case, we learn of how The Wizard came to Oz.   Sam Raimi known for his work with Bruce Campbell and the Spider-Man trilogy is directing,  and from what I've seen in the trailer so far,   it looks promising.   Now I  doubt that is meant to be an official  prequel to the classic Judy Garland film.  I'll touch on that more in the article.   I should probably also show the trailer. Here you are.

Two Words:  So Pretty!

However from the trailer do seem to be nods to the '39 classic such as the trailer starting out in Black & White. 

I love it, when we see the trailer open,  Oscar Diggs (The Wizard)   working at a Kansas circus and when we see him enter his hot air balloon.  There is a storm and then he enters Oz and there the colors come in the same way, how when Dorthy arrives in Oz in the original film,   it finally becomes color.   Also going back to the hot air balloon. That is how The Wizard leaves Oz in the original film.  

   

Now I should also touch upon the actors.   I trust the story in the actors in these parts. Especially Franco.  Granted outside of the Spider-Man trilogy, the only other film that I've seen him in is the wonderful 127 Hours and that showed me to me he is capable of delivering ballpark performances.   By the way,  that film is based on the autobiography,  Between a Rock and a Hard Place but the film is better.     Now as for Mila Kunis,  I don't know much about her acting career outside of That '70s Show and I was never really into that show but she seems to be the love interest for Oscar (The Wizard)

According to what I've read, she is Theodora, who may be The Wicked Witch of the West and if that's the case. Man, that's going to be tragic.  It does appear that if that is the case, that we may see her transformation as we see a green hand at the end of the trailer.

Though there are two other witches besides Theodora that'll appear in this film such as the ever popular  Glinda.

I have to say looking at Glinda (Michelle Williams)  right now,  I'm getting less of an Oz vibe and more of a Narnia feel to her but according to everything I've read, the character description does match up with what I would expect as she is described as being hopeful and seeing the best in Franco's character, even when the rest of Oz doubts him.


The last and final witch is Evanora  (Rachel Weisz) ,  the Wicked Witch of the East.   She apparently does not believe in Oscar at all and sees through him.   Why do I have a feeling that she is going be our villain?    She just looks evil.

I should also point out that another reason, I feel she is the villain and it didn't come to me until I rewatched the trailer is that she is the one that releases the flying monkeys.  I didn't even notice them at first but they are creepy looking.  Forget what you thought the flying monkeys looked like.   They don't look like this.

Compared to the monkeys in this trailer,  he looks friendly as the new ones look vicious and as though they'll bite your head off.  Wow, creepy!



Besides the actors from what I've seen look promising.   The sets are just gorgeous with my favorite being the teacup city/village that is shown.

It's strange that I'm excited for this film as while I like the 1939 film, I wouldn't say that I'm a big fan of that film but on the other hand,  I am a fan of Wicked and I like the way they explored the character's past.  Now  I should explain something here.  Even though I like Wicked, I need to clarify that  I can recognize that  it is not canon unlike some fans.

Honestly, when I first saw this trailer, I had Defying Gravity playing in my head.   I know that may seem odd but as I've said in the past, I'm a bigger fan of Wicked. Well, the musical as I was brought to tears because of how boring I found the book.  It just dragged too much for me.  I'm just rambling at this point.  At the end of the day, I'm excited to head to Oz.    Now yes, I do know that Disney made another Oz film in the past in Return to Oz.  I'll admit that I haven't seen it but that may change as I may watch & review  it before this film comes out.

This film is apparently considered an unofficial sequel to the classic. Well, I wondered if we could categorized this film as an unofficial prequel.   Either way, I'm so looking forward to this film.   Tell me, what are your thoughts on this film? Do you think that James Franco is a good choice for The Wizard who has been described by Franco as a con artist with a heart of gold.    If there is any Oz fans reading this, does this look true to L. Frank Baum.   Peace!