OZ The Great and Powerful - Run Don’t Walk

 

There are few films that I ache to see upon hearing they will be released soon. Oz The Great and Powerful was one of those films. There are even fewer films where I walk out of the theater wondering how soon I can go see it again. Oz The Great and Powerful was one of those films.

I was invited by Disney to attend a preview of the movie last week. It’s always a treat going to see a movie at Disney Studios, but I was like a little kid wanting to see this particular one. I admit it… I love all things OZ! I have fond memories of being a kid and laying on my mother’s bed to watch The Wizard of Oz, the once a year that it was aired on television. It was an event. Long before there were movies on VHS, we were relegated to our once a year TV showing.

I understand the skepticism people have about the new movie. The original was so beloved, how could a prequel evoke the same emotions that the first one did? Besides, this is Disney, not MGM. Disney always puts their own spin on things. Would it even resemble the original in any way?

Oh boy… did it ever!

I loved, loved, loved this movie! I WILL be going to see it again! And again. And again.

If you haven’t heard about the story yet (you must be living under a rock), it tells the tale of how the Wizard (James Franco) actually landed in Oz and how he turned himself from Traveling Show Magician to the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Along the way, there are witches and creatures and misfit friends. There are subtle details that harked back to the original movie that just warmed my heart. I don’t want to give it all away, but there IS a tornado and there IS a wicked witch and there ARE references to scarecrows and tin men and cowardly lions and…. OMG this was so good!

So how did my family like it? Well, David is always the skeptic and liked the movie but didn’t like James Franco in it. Temera liked it but wasn’t over-the-moon excited with it. Amanda and Lauryn LOVED IT like I did. Something to keep in mind… it’s Disney, so it is a little scary at times. I’d be careful about taking really young children who scare easily.

So Disney… you hit it out of the ball park with this one. It was such a treat to watch… and to remember the magic I felt when I first saw The Wizard of Oz. Thank you for bringing that back for me.