Movie review-Oz, The Great and Powerful

[karaokegal]

I liked this movie way more than I thought I would. Basically I think Sam Raimi managed to get everything right that Tim Burton completely failed to accomplish with Alice.

Comments

[msp_hacker]

What I didn't know was that I was supposed to be all pissy about the movie from a feminist perspective. I was told that afterwards and I was like, HUH?

...what the hell? Theadora didn't go batshit crazy evil because Oz was a cad. Theadora went batshit crazy evil because her sister took advantage of the situation and thought it was a perfect time to brainwash her.

[karaokegal]

I fully agree, but apparently I'm supposed to outraged that what were previously strong female characters are reduced to fighting over a man. Whatever.

http://heathbenfield.com/post/45116530947/oz-the-great-and-powerful-drops-a-house-on-feminism

[kohlrimmedeye]

Yeah, I didn't have huge feminist issues with the movie, just thought the plotting was a bit weak and ridiculous! Having said that, it was really pretty to look at, I loved the china doll character a lot, and it was definitely better than Alice was. I thought James Franco did a pretty good job in a role that was kind of thankless, despite being the main character.

[karaokegal]

I wouldn't go as far as "thankless," but I think anyone in that setting gets over-shadowed by the OOOOHHH and AAAAHHH. I think he was able to be charming enough that we believe he has been getting away with the Oz act without going over-the-top. And it was a very pretty film without making me need to keep swatting away the 3-D insects which happens in a lot of these fantasy films.

[chocolate_frapp]

I never thought the MGM movie was about that.

[karaokegal]

It may not be what it's obviously about, but it's certainly a plausible reading of the exact nature of Dorothy's terror, considering that it's made explicit that the story IS a dream and therefore an expression of her subconscious.