Just got back from seeing this in IMAX/3D and all I can say is... WOW! Was I blown away. Director Sam Raimi once again brought his A game and really did a masterful job of not so much competing with the Wizard of Oz, as much as paying respect to it in so many ways. The film starts out in black and white while the story is set in Kansas. The scene in which the Wizard is taken away inside a tornado is both exhilarating and quite the spectacle. And when he enters the world of OZ, the transition is both beautiful and fascinating as the 3D really kicks in. I can't tell you how many times I wanted to reach out and touch the various elements that seem to be on the tip of my nose. And it wasn't a film determined to sell spectacle over content. There was indeed a story to tell and James Franco did a surprisingly stellar job in the lead role. He brought so much heart to the role. And I had my reserves about him being able to tackle a part as demanding as what I thought this would be. But he really brought it and made you believe in him through every facet of his development.
The actresses that played the three witches played their parts quite well. I'd heard a number of complaints from critics about the uneven performances of each of these three and I have to tell you, I just didn't see those shortcomings. I thought each of them brought an earnest quality to their characters without falling into the trap of overacting the part. I thought Raimi kept each of those characters well grounded within the scope of the story and didn't ask for any performance that would be viewed as too over the top.
The scenery was properly magical and paid homage to many of the images we have come to know from this world. But Raimi also broaden that scope, but did so without getting overly cutesy or falling into a world that was so overstated, you didn't believe you were there. What he did invent was dazzlingly and only added to the myth. And the last 45 minutes was SO worth the entire price of admission. It's a great climax that brings so many familiar elements together. The theater was sold out for this showing and everyone applauded at the end. I will be back to see it again. I would also recommend the IMAX/3D screen. You are absolutely sucked into this world and the ride is worth every penny. 8.5/10 stars.
The actresses that played the three witches played their parts quite well. I'd heard a number of complaints from critics about the uneven performances of each of these three and I have to tell you, I just didn't see those shortcomings. I thought each of them brought an earnest quality to their characters without falling into the trap of overacting the part. I thought Raimi kept each of those characters well grounded within the scope of the story and didn't ask for any performance that would be viewed as too over the top.
The scenery was properly magical and paid homage to many of the images we have come to know from this world. But Raimi also broaden that scope, but did so without getting overly cutesy or falling into a world that was so overstated, you didn't believe you were there. What he did invent was dazzlingly and only added to the myth. And the last 45 minutes was SO worth the entire price of admission. It's a great climax that brings so many familiar elements together. The theater was sold out for this showing and everyone applauded at the end. I will be back to see it again. I would also recommend the IMAX/3D screen. You are absolutely sucked into this world and the ride is worth every penny. 8.5/10 stars.
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