Not so great, Not so Powerful

IT ALL STARTED in Kansas. The year was 1905.

Framed in an awkward black-and-white square format, the opening scenes of the Oz the Great and Powerful show the life in a day of Kansas-based amateur magician named Oscar Diggs, who later found himself in an ultimate adventure in the mystifying Land of Oz.

The decision to exploit the BW square format in the fist ten minutes of the film is weird but it was overshadowed by the film’s visual dazzle: from its cascading waterfalls, to breath-taking vistas of different hues, stunning silhouettes and unique fauna. The set and costume should also be recognized, as well as the perfect 3D rendering. The film, directed by Sam Raimi, is oozing with vibrant colors and intelligent use of computer-generated images (CGI) that looked amazing on the big silver screen.

Computer-generated, cute-looking creatures like this are among the film's visual treat. 

However, style and technology blurs the substance of the film.

The storyline is engrossed in the so-called “prophecy,” yet the film failed to offer a better narrative of how it came to be. Thus, the story seems rushed at times and would make one think that it attempts to blur or swathe the audience’s questions with the visual spectacle. There’s that feeling of blankness as the story unfolded.

But judging on how the audience reacted, especially the kids, it seemed that this blankness I experienced is not all that matters. The film establishes classic Disney themes of adventure, friendship and love, as well as the perils of greed and selfishness—things that achieved the film’s purpose: to entertain. Surely, for two hours the audience will find themselves enwrapped in such a magical realm, astonished by the powerful CGI characters such as Finley the Monkey and the China Doll and looking forward, albeit fast-paced and blank, with how the story will end.

Nobody’s really too old for a Disney Movie but I see this as another formulaic film, with that typical Disney flourish.  Other than the amazing visuals, Oz the Great and Powerful fell short as what its title suggests and certainly lacks some elements that would qualify it as one of Disney’s magna opera.

Louie.