Director: Sam Raimi
Cast: James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams and Zach Braff.
KATHMANDU, May 5: Oscar Diggs (James Franco) is an ordinary carnival magician mistakenly taken as the savior of Oz land, where he is transported after a rough ride in the hot air balloon. Confusion looms about who’s the real wicked witch and who should be killed. That’s the story of Oz: The great and powerful. [break]
The film starts in black and white and after a while, shifts to color and aren’t we all thankful for that. The Land of Oz is, indeed, magical and colorful with blooming life size flowers, flying monkeys and the Emerald Palace being the center of attraction, where everything begins. Director Sam Raimi has done a wonderful job with just the perfect mixture of humor while weaving the story. It’s nothing like his previous movies like The Evil Dead, Spider Man,
Hercules and Xena: Warrior Princess, to name a few.
The fight scenes are quite well coordinated, given the fact that he’s directed action movies before. Actor Franco’s acting, as usual, is commendable and add the three witches to that played by Rachel Weisz, Mila Kunis and Michelle Williams, you just wish the movie to go on and on. Characters such as that of the flying monkey and China girl add more amusement in the movie.
Adding more magic to the film is the 3D effect, which is very well done with no jerking movement of the camera and the sound just syncs perfectly. On the whole, the movie is perfect for family viewing and people who like fiction with witches, wands and magic.
Screening at QFX Cinemas.