Movies #70 & #71- "The Wizard of Oz" (1939); "Oz the Great and Powerful" (2013)

"The Wizard of Oz" has to be the most iconic film ever.  Regardless of the generation, people know the fabled story of Dorothy from Kansas and her trip to Oz.  The Tin Man, Scarecrow, and Cowardly Lion are pop culture touchstones along with the Wicked Witch of the West.  As familiar to the story as one might be, it's still a treat to go back and watch this classic.
I watched "The Wizard of Oz" during the morning, then caught an afternoon matinee of "Oz The Great and Powerful".  It had probably been at least 20 years since my last viewing of the Oz classic (I admit, it was tempting to try to sync it up with "Dark Side of the Moon").  But the wonder of the film is how well I still remember it.  The songs, the sights, the flying monkeys, taking you back to the thrill of the first time you saw it.
The one element that stuck out to me this time was how much Toto really is an unsung hero.  He leads the trio to Dorothy, reveals the true identity of Oz, and basically runs, jumps, and bounds all over the set.  Toto should have received something from the Wizard as well (I realize he got to go home, but that was Dorothy's wish).  The dog got cheated.
So that brings me to "Oz The Great and Powerful", which explains how Oz, well, got to Oz.  Sam Raimi tries to deliver a film worthy of the iconic film, yet misses the mark.  Like "Avatar" and "Life of Pi", it's a marvelous piece of eye candy.  If you get the opportunity to view it in 3-D, I would recommend it (the opening credits are really cool).  As good as the film looks, I found the story lacking and the performance by James Franco a bit off.  Normally I like Franco.  However here, his acting seems too smug for the character.  This is a case where an unknown may have been the better choice.  Of the witches, Rachel Weisz shines as Evanora while Michelle Williams' is bland as Glinda.  For me, it also created some questions pertaining to the original.  If she knows the Wizard is a fraud, then why does she willingly send Dorothy on a suicide mission?  To help the characters find strength within themselves and almost get killed in the process?  Or clean up the mess that she helped orchestrate in this film?  Doesn't sound like a good witch to me.
If you get the opportunity, read about some of issues that occurred with the script since Warner Brothers owns the rights to the aspects of the 1939 film.  No ruby slippers, no Munchkinland, and a slightly different color for the watch.
"Oz The Great and Powerful" is a sight for the eyes that can't meet the lofty goal.


"Wizard of Oz" Rating: 10/10
"Oz The Great and Powerful" Rating: 6/10
Movies I've previously seen: 6
First time viewings: 65