OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL “Real 3D” [2013] [3D Blu-ray + Digital Copy] A Dazzling Brand-New Classic! From The Producers of ALICE IN WONDERLAND!
Feel the magic of ‘OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL’ surround you as it soars off the screen and lands in your living room in this spectacular and stunning awesome “Real 3D” Blu-ray – the absolute best you can get to view in your home.
Disney’s fantastical adventure, from the director of the ‘Spider-Man’ trilogy, follows Oscar Diggs [James Franco], a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics. When Oscar Diggs is hurled away to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he’s hit the jackpot – until he meets three witches Theodora / Wicked Witch of the West [Mila Kunis], Evanora [Rachel Weisz] and Annie / Glinda [Michelle Williams], who aren’t convinced he’s the great wizard everyone’s expecting. Reluctantly drawn into epic problems facing Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar Diggs must find out who is good and who is evil before it’s too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity – and even some wizardry – Oscar Diggs transforms himself into the great wizard and a better man as well.
FILM FACT No.1: Awards and Nominations: 2013 Alliance of Women Film Journalists: Win: EDA Special Mention Award for Sequel or Remake That Shouldn't Have Been Made that tied with the film ‘Carrie’ (2013). 2013 BMI Film & TV Awards: Win: BMI Film Music Award for Film Music for Danny Elfman. 2013 Camerimage: Nominated: Best 3D Feature Film for Peter Deming. 2013 Casting Society of America: Nominated: Artios Award for Outstanding Achievement in Casting for a Big Budget Feature in a Comedy for John Papsidera (casting director). 2013 IGN Summer Movie Awards: Nominated: Best Fantasy Movie. 2013 Key Art Awards: Nominated: Best Digital Marketing for the Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Commonwealth Film Unit for its microsite/website for the interactive trailer. 2013 Leggio d'oro: Win: Leggio d'oro Award for Best Cartoon Voice for Antonio Casanova for the voice of “Knuck.” 2013 Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards: Win: Best Live Action Family Film. Nominated: Best Production Design for Robert Stromberg. 2013 Satellite Awards: Nominated: Best Visual Effects for Jim Schwalm, Scott Stokdyk and Troy Saliba. Nominated: Best Art Direction & Production Design for Nancy Haigh and Robert Stromberg. Nominated: Best Costume Design for Gary Jones. 2013 Teen Choice Awards: Nominated: Choice Movie: Sci-Fi/Fantasy. Nominated: Choice Movie Actor: Sci-Fi/Fantasy for James Franco. Nominated: Choice Movie Actress: Sci-Fi/Fantasy for Mila Kunis. Nominated: Choice Movie Actress: Sci-Fi/Fantasy for Michelle Williams. 2013 World Soundtrack Awards: Nominated: Film Composer of the Year for Danny Elfman. 2014 Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA: Nominated: Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Film, Nominated: Saturn Award for Best Production Design for Robert Stromberg. Nominated: Saturn Award for Best Costumes for Gary Jones. Nominated: Saturn Award for Best Music for Danny Elfman. 2014 Behind the Voice Actors Awards: Win: BTVA Voice Acting Award for Best Female Vocal Performance by a Child for Joey King as the voice of "China Doll." Nominated: BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award for Best Male Vocal Performance in a Feature Film in a Supporting Role for Zach Braff as the voice of "Finley." 2014 CinEuphoria Awards: Nominated: Best Costume Design for an International Competition for Gary Jones. Nominated: Best Special Effects (Sound or Visual) in an International Competition for Jim Schwalm, Scott Stokdyk and Troy Saliba. 2014 Costume Designers Guild Awards: Nominated: Excellence in Fantasy Film for Gary Jones and Michael Kutsche. 2014 Georgia Film Critics Association: Nominated: GAFCA Award for Best Original Song for Justin Gray, Lindsey Ray, Mariah Carey, Mikkel Storleer Eriksen, Simone Porter and Tor Erik Hermansen for the Song: "Almost Home." 2014 Kids' Choice Awards, USA: Nominated: Blimp Award for Favorite Movie for Walt Disney Pictures and Roth Films. Nominated: Blimp Award for Favorite Movie Actress for Mila Kunis. 2014 MTV Movie + TV Awards: Win: MTV Movie Award for Best Villain for Mila Kunis as Theodora, Wicked Witch of the West. 2014 Online Film & Television Association: Nominated: OFTA Film Award for Best Titles Sequence. 2014 People's Choice Awards, USA: Nominated: Favorite Family Movie. 2014 Visual Effects Society Awards: Nominated: Outstanding Animated Character in a Live Action Feature Motion Picture for Carolyn Vale, In-Ah Roediger, Kevin Souls and Troy Saliba for "China Girl." 2014 World Stunt Awards: Nominated: Taurus Award for Best Stunt Rigging for Emerald Films, Randy Beckman and Scott Rogers.
FILM FACT No.2: Composer Danny Elfman noted that the film’s score was accessibly quick to produce, with a majority of the music being written in six weeks. Regarding the tonal quality of the score, Danny Elfman stated, “We’re going to take an approach that’s old school but not self-consciously old-fashioned. Let the melodrama be melodrama, let everything be what it is. I also think there’s the advantage that I’m able to write narratively, and when I’m able to write narratively I can also move quicker because that’s my natural instincts, I can tell a story in the music.” American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey recorded a promotional Pop single called “Almost Home” written by Carey, Simone Porter, Justin Gray, Lindsey Ray, Tor Erik Hermansen and Mikkel Eriksen for the soundtrack of the film. The single was released on the 19th February, 2013 by Island Records.
Cast: James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams, Zach Braff, Bill Cobbs, Joey King, Tony Cox, Stephen R. Hart, Abigail Leigh Spencer, Bruce Campbell, Ted Raimi, Tim Holmes, Toni Wynne, Rob Crites, William Dick, Gene Jones, John Lord Booth III, Suzanne Keilly, Shannon Murray, Ralph Lister, John Manfredi, Robert Stromberg, Channing Pierce, Brian Searle, Russell Bobbitt, Julie Gershenson, Dan Nelson, T.J. Jagodowski, John Paxton, Melissa Exelberth, Steve Forbes, Arnold Agee, Deborah Puette, Julius Kline III, Theresa Tilly, Betsy Baker, Ellen Sandweiss, Isabella Shepard, Sasha Kida Reynolds, Ja'Vonne Cousins, Victoria Lurz, Dashiell Raimi, Oliver Raimi, Brandon Hamilton, Stevie 'Puppet' Lee, Martin Klebba, Danielle Ragland, Bart McCarthy, Timothy Patrick Quill, Nicholas Lindsay-Abaire, Bill E. Rogers, Dan Hicks, Mia Serafino, LaNika Wise, Mikayla Bouchard, Nellie Ann Prestine-Lowery, Emma Raimi, Jayne Violassi, Jay Schwalm, Wendy Cutler, James Bird, Kenneth D. Ciszewski, Chester F. Guilmet, Robert Buck, Jim Moll, Phillip Huber, Bernard A. Allemon, Dan Cota, Dale Drew, Spencer Frost, Dan Gruenwald, Jon Overgaauw, Eduardo Piedra, Eric Potts, Jordan Rafael, Adam Romano, David Spradlin, Mani Love, Michael Witous, Christophe Zajac-Denek, Nomi Abadi (uncredited), Chidi Ajufo (uncredited), Talia Akiva (uncredited), AnnMarie Arcuri (uncredited), Blake Arnold (uncredited), Apollo Bacala (uncredited), Kelly Bacon (uncredited), Barb Baker (uncredited), Ron Baratono (uncredited), Cameron Barnett (uncredited), Robert T. Barrett (uncredited), Kevin Wayne Berger (uncredited), Eric Brakke (uncredited), Wayne Brinston (uncredited), Colin Bryant (uncredited), Ron Causey (uncredited), Grady Chambless (uncredited), Lee Christian (uncredited), Justin Chrzanowski (uncredited), Will Clarke (uncredited), Michael Clossin (uncredited), Zachary Robert Craft (uncredited), Zac Cunningham (uncredited), Michael Dault (uncredited), Omar Diop (uncredited), Chase Edwards (uncredited), Christy Edwards (uncredited), Summer Edwards (uncredited), Neil Ellice (uncredited), Courtney English (uncredited), John C. Epperson (uncredited), Mike Estes (uncredited), Vi Faulkner (uncredited), Jessee Foudray (uncredited), Carly Francavilla (uncredited), Logan Fry (uncredited), Derrick Gilliam (uncredited), Jacob Godzak (uncredited), John D. Green Sr. (uncredited), Ryan Groves (uncredited), Brice Harris (uncredited), Nate Hatton (uncredited), Niki Haze (uncredited), Ron Heisler (uncredited), Hans Ihlenfeldt (uncredited), Roy Kellerman Jr. (uncredited), Dennis Kleinsmith (uncredited), Calhoun Koenig (uncredited), Doug Kolbicz (uncredited), Bryan Lee (uncredited), Kef Lee (uncredited), Vong Lee (uncredited), Amanda Lewan (uncredited), Anna Li (uncredited), Linda Linsley (uncredited), Sam Liu (uncredited), Veronica Liu (uncredited), Hannah Madigan (uncredited), Davy J. Marr (uncredited), Johnny Marra (uncredited), Rebecca Mccarthy (uncredited), Julia Metas (uncredited), Bob Jay Mills (uncredited), Reza Mir (uncredited), Lori Mulligan (uncredited), Jessica Nichole (uncredited), Fionna Noori (uncredited), Oz Noori (uncredited), Angela Ann Palermo (uncredited), Heather Park (uncredited), Jessica Petrik (uncredited), Sage Porter (uncredited), Jor él Quinn (uncredited), Gene Richards (uncredited), Lukas Ridge (uncredited), Nicholas Ritz (uncredited), Ari Rufino (uncredited), Anthony J Sacco (uncredited), Keith Schloemp (uncredited), David Schwager (uncredited), Ashley Siloac (uncredited), Nikki Smith (uncredited), Rick Smith (uncredited), Paul J. Spear (uncredited), Rachel Steele (uncredited), Amy Sutherland (uncredited), Eric Adam Swenson (uncredited), Stephen Tako (uncredited), Kevin Thompson (uncredited), Lauren Tischler (uncredited), Francisca Viudes (uncredited), David Waldman (uncredited), Filip Watermann (uncredited), Michael O. Watkins (uncredited), Matt Weinglass (uncredited), Alaina Whitney (uncredited), Jake Williams (uncredited) and Otis Winston (uncredited)
Director: Sam Raimi
Producers: Debbi Bossi, Grant Curtis, Joe Roth, Joshua Donen, K.C. Hodenfield, Palak Patel, Philip Steuer, Tamara Watts Kent and W. Mark McNair
Screenplay: David Lindsay-Abaire (screenplay), Mitchell Kapner (screenplay/screen story) and Frank L. Baum (original story)
Composer: Danny Elfman
Cinematography: Peter Deming, A.S.C. (Director of Photography)
Image Resolution: 1080p
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 (Black-and-White) and 2.40:1 (Colour)
Audio: English: 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
French: 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio
Spanish: 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio
English: 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio
English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish
Running Time: 130 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 1
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Andrew’s Blu-ray Review: Sam Raimi’s epic fantasy prequel ‘OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL’ [2013] conjures up a new benchmark for the awesome “Real 3D” Blu-ray. Given the reverence so many fans have for the legendary 1939 M-G-M musical, it’s no surprise that some consider any plans to do a prequel to ‘The Wizard of Oz’ to be completely sacrilegious.
But somehow writer David Lindsay-Abaire and Michael Kapner and director Sam Raimi have managed to magic up a dizzying and manically inventive fantasy film that feels like a natural part of the universe Frank L. Baum created. By exploring the origin of the Wizard, this blockbuster prequel feels fresh and unpredictable, whilst also delivering plenty of nods and winks for fans of the original film, especially the Frank L. Baum’s books.
More delightful is the film’s awesome “Real 3D” presentation, which actually makes for a very entertaining experience. Though built on the backs of endless 3D gimmicks, there’s a delirious energy to all the carnivorous plants, dive-bombing monkeys, surging rapids, toothy river fairies, jutting emerald crystals, and billowing fireballs to thoroughly demonstrate Sam Raimi’s penchant for “Real 3D” showmanship. The camera leaps and swoops, glides and falls; the creatures of Oz charge and lunge, pounce and attack; cities and towns loom and extend into the distance, while endless fields of flowers, dark forests and sprawling mountain ranges disappear into the horizon. What ‘OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL’ lacks in cohesion and inspiration, it tacks on with feverish, sometimes dizzying “Real 3D” and it’s clear that Sam Raimi’s ‘OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL’ was built to take full advantage of the format, from the ground up. The added assault on the senses even distracts from some of the film’s bigger problems, making its 2D counterpart feel even flatter and less whimsical. As to the “Real 3D” version of the film the wonderful wizardry Disney studio and the filmmakers hoped it would be? Perhaps in part, but to some critics they felt it still falls well short, compared to the original Judy Garland film. But I feel this Sam Raimi sequel proves itself really well and I love it and is a brilliant prequel to the wonderful original film, but the film ‘OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL,’ especially seeing it in “Real 3D” is a worthy companion. Because the film ‘OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL’ is so brilliant and totally magical seeing it the brilliant “Real 3D” experience, it made me want to visit the land of Oz and actually live in the Emerald City.
Buoyed by game performances from all the principal actors and Sam Raimi’s energetic direction, ‘OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL’ is a brilliant fun slice of fantastical whimsy wrapped up film in dazzling layers of “Real 3D” eye-candy. So, even if it doesn’t really measure up to the original, it’s still a whole lot of magical and exciting fun and worthy to add to your “Real 3D” Blu-ray collection.
OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL MUSIC TRACK LIST
ALMOST HOME (Written by Simone Porter, Justin Gray, Lindsey Ray, Tor Erik Hermansen, Mikkel Storleer Eriksen and Mariah Carey) [Performed by Mariah Carey]
THE MUNCHKIN WELCOME SONG (Music written by Danny Elfman) (Lyrics written by David Lindsay-Abaire) [Performed by Danny Elfman]
OZ’s MAGIC PIANO SHOW (Written by David Reinstein) [Performed by David Reinstein]
SHOFAR (Written by Roberto Juan Rodriguez) [Performed by Roberto Juan Rodriguez]
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Blu-ray Image Quality – Step aside ‘AVATAR’ there is a new king of “Real 3D” Blu-ray. Disney's stunning awesome encoded stereoscopic presentation of ‘OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL’ “Real 3D” not only sets a new technical benchmark for the format – the native “Real 3D” photography is so involving that it easily makes the film more enjoyable that of the 2D “flat” version. The sheer depth of the image and the volume dimensions of everything are frankly totally awe-inspiring. Nothing about it feels forced, it just feels perfectly natural. Colour presentation is probably the most vibrant I have seen in a “Real 3D” presentation and fills the widescreen 2.40:1 at all times, at least it does from Chapter 8 when the action moves to Oz, prior to that it's 1.33:1 black-and-white. ‘OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL’ “Real 3D” D 1080p imagery is truly awesome and totally magical.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – The film is accompanied by what Disney is openly touting as a “near-field” 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack. This indicates that the mix has been optimised for “smaller” environments – but don't worry, this is something that Disney has apparently done with a lot of its mixes in the past, albeit without the labelling and, as it happens, ‘OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL’ 7.1 channel soundtrack is a match for the reference-quality visuals. Admittedly, things start in a rather subdued mode, with the audio accompanying the monochrome opening being deliberately wedded to the front stereo spread. However, once our hero is sucked up by the tornado in Chapter 7 the full 7.1 mix explodes into life. Front and rear speakers are employed aggressively and consistently from that point onwards, building layer upon layer of audio in the sound field to dynamic effect.
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2D Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:
Special Feature: Walt Disney and the Road to Oz [2013] [1080p] [1.78:1] [10:00] The studio and Uncle Walt Disney's history with Oz, which traces back to the 1930s, when Snow White hinted at the success of feature fantasy, and Disney's acquisition of the rights to fourteen Oz books, an abandoned 1950s musical adaptation “The Rainbow Road to Oz,” and other milestones on the long and winding road to ‘OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL.’ This is ONLY available via the Disney's New Digital Copy Plus.
Special Feature: My Journey in Oz, by James Franco [2013] [1080p] [1.78:1] [22:00] This sort of a-day-in-the-life video journal is more of a James Franco-hosted production documentary than anything else, and that's perfectly fine. James Franco does everything from discussing the film to interviewing Sam Raimi to going behind-the-scenes to reveal how practical and visual effects were used to realise Oz. This is ONLY available via the Disney's New Digital Copy Plus.
Special Feature: China Girl and the Suspension of Disbelief [2013] [1080p] [1.78:1] [5:00] Oz's porcelain doll springs to life by way of on-set marionettes, computer wizardry and the voice performance of young actress Joey King. This is ONLY available via the Disney's New Digital Copy Plus.
Special Feature: Before Your Very Eyes: From Kansas to Oz [2013] [1080p] [1.78:1] [11:00] The design, development and creation of the lands of Oz the Great and Powerful, from the film's visual aesthetic to its costumes, sets, environments, locations and grand vistas. This is ONLY available via the Disney's New Digital Copy Plus.
Special Feature: Metamorphosis [2013] [1080p] [1.78:1] [8:00] Sam Raimi and company bring the Wicked Witch to sinister, cackling life with prosthetics that simultaneously accentuate, sharpen and mask the actress's facial features. This is ONLY available via the Disney's New Digital Copy Plus.
Special Feature: Mr. Elfman's Musical Concoctions [2013] [1080p] [1.78:1] [7:00] Composer Danny Elfman and the film's score. This is ONLY available via the Disney's New Digital Copy Plus.
Special Feature: Bloopers [2013] [1080p] [1.78:1] [5:00] Franco, Braff, Kunis and the rest of the cast ham it up. This is ONLY available via the Disney's New Digital Copy Plus.
Finally, ‘OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL’ “Real 3D” never quite ascends to the heights of the original ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ and unfortunately a lot of critics of this “Real 3D” Blu-ray say that is certainly won't ever be hailed as a timeless classic, but to me it is a really beautiful modern day classic of the original masterpiece in cinema history. So it will be totally wrong to give this 2013 film any kind of comparison, is almost totally unfair, but sadly a lot of critics are all unfairly in precisely doing that comparison, which is totally out of order and makes me very angry and totally incensed, as it is a totally beautiful well-crafted film and especially in “Real 3D,” whereas the 2D looks totally flat, that it is a real must to view in “Real 3D.” Another thing that is making me so angry is the comments of critics of this marvellous film, saying that nothing quite clicks into place “what utter total rubbish” especially the script, the cast, the visual effects, which to my mind is a very harsh comment and have obviously been watching a different film to me. On top of all that I feel Sam Raimi eventually finds his footing with ‘OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL’ “Real 3D” really hits a decent stride and finishes poised hopefully, for a sequel. The “Real 3D” version is even better and is a honestly a very exciting experience. Walt Disney's Blu-ray release is more consistent and satisfying experience of this film, and with an excellent video transfer, especially the terrific sumptuous “Real 3D” experience, and a very exciting strong 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio surround track. The “Real 3D edition's extras are only available by way of Disney's New Digital Copy Plus online service, so that's a rather irritating hassle, but at least the content is still available in one way or another. All told, ‘OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL’ 3D is a great and powerful prequel it could be, but it’s the Blu-ray debut and “Real 3D” awesome presentation, unite to become a formidable powerhouse of magical splendour. Very Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
