Le Monde fantastique d'Oz

Why people are split on this (including the critics) actually baffles me. To me, this is exactly the set up and prequel that the original Wizard of Oz deserved. It's highly entertaining and hit some very impressive visual notes. Sure, the story does come across as a bit shallow but it's not like the original film was full of complexity and depth. I'm glad I avoided most press and knew nothing about the movie before I saw it because the twist really did surprise me. Maybe I should have seen it coming but I honestly did not. Franco was great and the CGI characters really worked. The flying monkey and china doll were just what a family friendly like this needed. Although, there was a stretch were the china doll's personality hit a cartoon sour note but her intro and how she finished erased that in my book. Overall, a film that delivers fun and a wonderful use of effects and visuals. The budget was well spent and so was my movie ticket money.

I don't even want to think about how much money this movie cost. Even seeing it in 3-D didn't help. I found myself nodding off once or twice, it was that boring. All the special effects in the world won't fix lousy acting, bad casting and total lack of a plot. James Franco was terribly miscast. It was like watching that fiasco of him hosting the Oscars with poor Anne Hathaway. The little china doll was a better actor! Mila Kunis was beautiful but disappointing; Rachel Weisz and Michelle Williams did their best to save a terrible movie. Zach Braff was also good and probably should have been the wizard. Really wish I'd spent my money and time on something else.

By all means if you can, watch this in 3D. The creatures, colors and imaginative details were riveting. I look forward to seeing this again and would definitely buy this movie when it comes on sale. I loved every minute from start to finish, truly full of refreshing twists and turns that keep the story from becoming what could have been a predictable ho hum kind of movie. As the story unfolds you will likely find yourself thinking "Ah ha", as the storyline from the original production is filled in with the elements and situations this version's characters and story reveal. What could have been a fluff piece with a thin skin (if the acting could not support the plot) instead becomes a truly satisfying first course. You believe the characters and the intentions, (good and evil) they embody. Totally WOW!!

This one is suppose to be a prequel to "The Wizard of Oz" which is actually a cool idea. But it's just nowhere near as good. It's becomes a dull and for the most part a predictable adventure, despite few twist then and there. This movie cost over 200 million dollars to make and it just doesn't show at all. In fact for the most part it just seemed like a wast of money for the production company and studio, probably also others that invested in this movie being made. It just has a very dull script going for and nothing really stands. I just wasn't really engaged with this flick. James Franco is alright as OZ but didn't stand out with his role all that much either. I give credit for this flick trying to be it's own movie. With just references and backgrounds to "The Wizard of Oz". Instead of constantly trying to make connections to that movie. This one hardly have any musical numbers, maybe one but it's forgettable. This one had potential but it turned out bland. 5/10

Spoiler alert. James Franco headlines this prequel to the classic Wizard of Oz (1939) version where director Sam Raimi depicts a gray black and white Kansas on a television box screen format transforming it into a full screened, brilliant colored fantasy landscape when Franco's character is transported into a dazzling world of magic. The second part of the first half of the movie is filled with these amazing visual effects. The movie script consistently wraps up an origination story to The Wizard of Oz but strangely enough leaves a sour taste in one's mouth considering how the Evil Witch came to be and Franco's character's role in creating the Evil Witch. In many ways, this movie offers up a standard magical fantasy affair along with a rather convincing twist by the middle of the movie along with some strong relational elements that at times tears at one's emotional sensitivities.