he trailer: Based on this clip, Oz: The Great and Powerful — the Wizard of Oz prequel that hits theaters in March 2013 — closely echoes the style and structure of the 1939 original. (Watch the trailer below.) When we meet star James Franco as the soon-to-be-Wizard, he exists, humbly enough, in a black-and-white Kansas. Soon, a tornado transports him to the lavishly colorful Oz where he's uncomfortably held in great regard and must battle power-mad witches (decades, apparently, before Dorothy's own travails). Will this prequel delight audiences as much as their first trip to Oz?
The reaction: Some question the need for a Wizard of Oz sequel, but "we're cautiously optimistic," says Kevin Jagernauth at Indiewire. The "bright, beautifully conceived" visuals really stand out, looking "every inch like something that demands to be seen on the big screen." I'm not as convinced, says Mike Sampson at ScreenCrush. "It may just be the Disney marketing," but this looks a lot like 2010's Tim Burton-directed extension of the Alice in Wonderland universe — and that "wasn't exactly a good movie." The similarities are undeniable, says Liam Goodwin at Filmonic, but this "actually looks better" than Alice in Wonderland, and sure-footed director Sam Raimi may be able to avoid the pitfalls of Burton's popular (but underwhelming) film.
- The last word: He said he was leaving. She ignored him.
- How typeface influences the way we read and think
- WATCH: Australia's army chief demonstrates how you address sex abuse
- Turkey's 'Standing Man': Can a lone protester change history?
- Ben Bernanke to Wall Street: It's the beginning of the end
- Reports: Sopranos star James Gandolfini is dead
- 32 TV shows to watch in 2013 [Updated]
- The daily gossip: The 50 Shades of Grey movie finally has a director, and more
- 7 grammar rules you really should pay attention to
- The world is way, way bigger than you
- Michael Hastings, remembered
- How typeface influences the way we read and think
- Former employees say Bank of America lied to a lot of homeowners
- How immigration reform could save taxpayers nearly $1 trillion
- The last telegram ever is about to be sent
- The last word: He said he was leaving. She ignored him.
- WATCH: Australia's army chief demonstrates how you address sex abuse
- The daily gossip: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have allegedly chosen a baby name, and more
- Can fetuses masturbate?
- What language is your baby speaking?
