Oz The Great And Powerful Review: Much Better Than The Critics Say

Oz the Great and Powerful has been getting mixed reviews from many magazine and newspaper critics. I’m not sure why, as the movie accomplishes exactly what it set out to do. It’s an entertaining and enjoyable film for the whole family.The story flows smoothly, the acting is strong, and the visual effects are amazing. It’s just a solid, good movie that’s worth the price of admission. That some are criticizing the movie is surprising. Sure, it’s not an artsy film that’s going to get a Best Picture nod, but it’s not supposed to be.The story focuses on telling the story of Oz and how he saves the Emerald City. Oz the Great and Powerful pulls off the rare feat of creating a plot that is easy enough for children to follow and yet complex enough to appeal to adults. The film really does succeed as a family movie, even though the flying monkeys might prove a little frightening for younger viewers.James Franco does an admirable job playing Oz, as he slowly evolves from a bumbling con man into a hero. At the core of Oz is a strong and powerful message for children, as Oz in his quest for greatness, finds something stronger as he achieves goodness. And while we can’t go into too much detail of Mila Kunis role in the movie without revealing some major spoilers, she successfully makes you feel compassion for her character and does a great job in a role much different from her previous work.Like Disney’s Alice In Wonderland, Oz the Great and Powerful excels in taking viewers into a colorful and magical world. Younger viewers who might not be familiar with the original Wizard of Oz movie might be baffled by the first segment being in black and white. However, even for those unfamiliar with the original, the transition from black and white to the bright colors of Oz is a powerful effect.After several lackluster films so far in 2013, it’s good to see a film like Oz the Great and Powerful deliver the goods. In fact, it’s my favorite film of 2013 so far. Not saying that won’t change after Iron Man 3 and others role out this summer, but as of right now, Oz the Great and Powerful is the best. It’s a great start to what will surely become another winning franchise for Disney, and I can’t wait to see the next one.