MOVIE REVIEW: "OZ - The Great and Powerful"

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My expectations for this film were kind of dismal, as I watched it ONLY for its female actors! What a casting coup. Academy Award nominated people and a seemingly stunning fictional world tore lots and lots of people to the cinemas to watch this movie, which is a kind of a prequel to the actual Oz-story. "Somewhere over the Rainbow" is NOT featured in the film, as its rights are held by Warner. ;)

The movie is not boring. However, some parts seemed very long to me, especially in comparison to some very racy parts. Mila Kunis doesn’t seem to fit the role of Theodora quite well, however, after changing into a witch she pulls off her thing remarkably, screaming a lot. Rachel Weisz is over-qualified and SO is Michelle Williams. Just having won a Golden Globe, I can’t seem to understand why she’s signing a role she only has to smile and chirr for? And James Franco looks strangely old in this one, which irritates from time to time.

Visually this movie convinced me on every possible level! 3D worked out fine I admit. What irritated me the most, however, was that the whole movie didn’t seem to find its tonality. For a children’s movie too brutal and dramatic, for an adult film way too childish. Thank God every single joke of Zack “monkey Finley” Braff was a big laugh!