Oz

In the beginning, there was spectacle. The novelty of moving pictures was enough to satisfy audiences who hurried into theaters to catch a glimpse of the newest blockbuster — usually something as mundane as a horse eating hay or small girls having a pillow fight. Little by little the abilities of film as a storytelling medium developed, and audiences were treated to such classics as “A Trip to the Moon” (1902) and “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligiri.” (1920). Sound was another milestone, then color. Digital animation and 3D imaging have been among filmmaking’s most recent technological advancements, and regrettably, in many occasions have continued the tradition of sacrificing story for spectacle.

Oz: The Great and Powerful reminds us strongly of this time. Unlike its predecessor, Victor Flemming’s 1939 film The Wizard of Oz,  this prequel lacks the magic and wonder of the earlier film. Oz favors flash over substance, immersing its viewers in a dazzlingly beautiful world of emerald spires, ethereal sunsets and glowing (yellow brick) roads. But sadly, that’s all we have to look forward to.

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