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Here's a look at my review of the new trip to "Oz"

Oz the Great and Powerful
Starring: James Franco, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz, and Mila Kunis
Synopsis: “The Wizard of Oz” debuted in 1939, and it was a revelation. It still ranks among people’s favorite film because of the beautiful way the story was told. For its time, it was a technological marvel. Even today, it’s hard not to be drawn into the wonder of “The Wizard of Oz.” The film starts in stark black and white then explodes with color and a magical world full of adventure, wisdom and lessons we can all take back to Kansas, or wherever we call home. When watching “Oz the Great and Powerful,” the new prequel to “The Wizard of Oz” that tells the origin story for the great wizard, Glinda the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West, you get the sense that director Sam Raimi was moved by his first “Oz” experience, too. He tries to painstakingly re-create that feeling with this prequel, but it just doesn’t quite get there. “Oz the Great and Powerful” is a movie you want to love, but just can’t quite do it. Raimi has a good feel for these kind of films. There is a little action, plenty of visuals and some comic relief. It’s the same formula he used when crafting the original “Spider-Man” trilogy. And, to some extent, it works to good effect here. But there is something about this story that fails to live up to the wonder and magic of the original trip to Oz. The screenplay from Mitchell Kapner and David Lindsay-Abaire doesn’t develop the characters much, so there isn’t a lot to hold onto here. Even during the dramatic final showdown, there doesn’t feel like the sense of urgency needed to get the audience to fully invest in the story. “The Wizard of Oz” was remarkable because of the technological techniques used to create the world of the film. But those cinematic techniques were only part of the adventure — what keeps people coming back are the story, characters and the path they take throughout the film. “Oz the Great and Powerful” has some stunning visual effects. What’s done to create the world of Oz is eye-popping, and is in keeping with the spirit of the original film. But the story and the characters don’t pop on screen, so it can’t possibly live up to the pattern set for the original film. Some of the performers seem natural in their roles. Williams seems at home as Glinda, and Braff provides some good comic relief as the flying monkey Finley. Other character actors, like Bill Cobb and Tony Cox, add to the overall presentation of the film. But Franco, Weisz and Kunis inhabit characters that feel more like caricatures. There is a lack of connection and depth that hurts the overall appeal of the film. While this prequel tries to pay tribute to the original while providing the back story and context for “The Wizard of Oz,” much like the cowardly lion, it lacks heart.
Rating: PG for sequences of action and scary images, and brief mild language.
Verdict: Two stars out of four.

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