Oz: The Great and Powerful (6/11/2013)

Rated PG for sequences of action and scary images, and brief mild language.

Starring James Franco, Michelle Williams, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, Zach Braff and Abigail Spencer

Directed by Sam Raimi (Spider-Man)

Definitely pay attention to the man behind the curtain.

Disney’s fantastical adventure Oz: The Great and Powerful, directed by Sam Raimi, imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum’s beloved character, the Wizard of Oz. When Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he’s hit the jackpot—fame and fortune are his for the taking—that is until he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone’s been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity—and even a bit of wizardry—Oscar transforms himself not only into the great and powerful Wizard of Oz but into a better man as well.

I am part of the generation that used to watch The Wizard of Oz every year on network TV. I remember the beginning in black-and-white, the house falling on the witch, the munchkins and of course the scary flying monkeys… I mean the flying monkeys. I wasn’t afraid of them…never mind that.

So when my daughter asked if I would take her and a couple of her friends to see Oz: The Great and Powerful, I jumped at the chance. A tub of popcorn and a few drinks later, we settled into our seats. I love that the movie started in black-and-white and just like the original transformed into color. But this time they also transformed from standard definition to high-definition, and oh yeah, it was in 3-D.

James Franco brings life to the famous “man behind the curtain” and Michelle Williams, Mila Kunis and Rachel Weisz as the witches were all really good. I will say that Mila Kunis, far and away, had the biggest shoes to fill, playing the iconic Wicked Witch of the West. I was impressed. And Zach Braff was perfect as the comic relief.

The only real negative comment is there were a few very familiar “Sam Raimi shots”. If you’ve seen the Spiderman films, you know the shots I’m talking about. It’s that awkward split screen that Sam really loves. You’re probably thinking that’s a small criticism, and you would be absolutely right.

My daughter Brianna, and her friends loved it and I have to agree, it’s “Theater Worthy.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
This is a PG movie that is appropriate for the entire family… even with the “scary” flying monkeys.

CONVERSATION STARTER

1. What was Oz’s motivation for helping Theodora?


2. What was he promised if he defeated the evil witch?


3. If the gold was not involved, do you think Oz would have agreed to take on the witch?


4. Read Ecclesiastes 5:10
   He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.

   What were some of the ways Oz showed that he loved money?



5. At the end of the film, how did Oz show that he no longer loved money?


6. What are some things we can do this week to practice being more generous?