The career of Sam Raimi has been anything but regular. Despite being one of the pioneers of modern horror with Evil Dead, he soon mixed horror and comedy with its sequels, then made the leap to top-tier superhero cinema with Spider-Man and later returned to darker horror with Drag Me to Hell.
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Subscribe (it's FREE) ►Undoubtedly, keeping track of a director (and producer) like this is quite a challenge, as at times he has seemed more influenced by the moment than by a complete strategic plan. However, among his entire career, there is a film that was heavily criticized at the time and is worth revisiting. We are talking about Oz, the Great and Powerful, a 2013 film that has just landed on the streaming platform Disney Plus.
A fantasy world that reinterprets the original work
In Oz, a fantasy world, Raimi sought to explore the origins of the famous Wizard of Oz in a visual prequel with all the elements to be a top-tier children’s blockbuster. Released more than a decade ago and received with more negative than positive reviews, the film deserves to be rediscovered for its originality and its attempt to reimagine a classic of literature and cinema.
At the time, in fact, the film doubled its budget, earning almost 500 million from 215 invested. Therefore, it managed to resonate with the audience despite the criticism. But what is saved and what is not from this film that is a rare bird in Raimi’s career? In fact, quite a few things.
Starring James Franco, with whom he already worked in the Spider-Man trilogy, the film tells the story of how Oscar Diggs, a magician of dubious reputation and ethics, ends up being whisked away from Kansas to the magical land of Oz. There, a misunderstanding leads him to be seen as the predestined savior, although initially his main interest is to benefit from the wealth of the place.
As the story progresses, the wizard faces three witches -Evanora, Theodora, and Glinda- each with their own motivations, in a plot as fun as it is surprising. With Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, and Michelle Williams in roles that seem tailor-made for them, the movie manages to be a visual spectacle very much in the style of Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland.
It is true that the film was criticized at the time for a predictable plot and somewhat inconsistent tone, but the passage of time has led many to appreciate the risk Sam Raimi took in developing this ambitious story. The film offers a modern vision of Oz without losing the spirit of the original work, and its sense of visual spectacle has only gained strength over the years.
For those who missed it at its premiere, or for those who want to give it another chance or understand its success, Oz, The Great and Powerful deserves a second look, especially to appreciate the work of a director who deserves the utmost respect just for his career.
And Raimi takes the opportunity to fill Oz with magical creatures, surreal landscapes, and action scenes that are a true delight for the eyes. Without a doubt, the director’s spirit is present at every moment, even though it might seem like a film completely different from what he usually does. Undoubtedly, this movie helps to better understand who Raimi is as a director and how he exercises his potential in a world he can shape to his liking and form.
