I LOVED the idea of a scifi/fantasy movie based on the Wizard of Oz and so looked forward to this miniseries with anticipation. I just finished watching it and I'm feeling a bit....irked. Let me first say what is right with the mini-series.
First of all, I thought the acting was good across the board (with one notable exception that I'll get to). Zooey Deschanel would seem the perfect person to play a rather sardonic Dorothy (though they didn't give her much opportunity to be sardonic). But I enjoyed watching her. The other actors were good as well with special mention to Alan Cumming and Neal McDonough. The other actors were fine as well.
Second, I liked the production design, costumes, music, and the general feel of the movie. Even though the world of the O.Z. seemed to have a multiple personality disorder. Sometimes it was rustic, sometimes industrial, sometimes urban punk. It was a bit hard to figure out what this world was supposed to be.
Third, the little references to the Wizard of OZ that were dropped by different characters. The twisting of the original concepts to fit into the world created by the movie. All of that was enjoyable to spot. I especially like their conception of the Tin Man.
Now, what I didn't like: the plot and the writing. I'm sorry but the plot was no more complex than the original Wizard of OZ which is fine for a children's story but disappointing for a film aimed at adults. The whole storyline was tepid when it should have soared. The plot was just boring. I kept waiting for the real movie to start. Things did pick up a little plotwise during the second part but the conclusion was utterly predictable.
Finally, I'm sorry, but I never once bought Kathleen Robertson as the evil sorceress. Her most evil expression was a slightly pouty look that seemed to say "Hey, I broke a nail!" rather than "I'm evil personified." And her dialogue must have come from Evil Supervillains 101.
The biggest problem was that her motivations were never really clear. Okay, here's a spoiler so you might want to stop reading. Why did she keep her mother alive? If she was really possessed by the witch, the witch would have no reason to keep the queen around. Especially once she had the emerald. At one point in the film, they make it look like Azkadellia is cooperating somewhat with the witch that possesses her. But that only occurs one time. Perhaps if the witch had seduced her rather than possessed her against her will, it would have had more impact. If she had agreed to join forces with the witch for some real or imagined slight on the part of her family it would have explained why she kept her mother, father, and sister alive and and why she may have taken some pleasure in them witnessing her victory. Finally, why did the old witch want to make the land dark anyway? Because she's evil? Who knows?
Ultimately, it's not a bad watch but doesn't meet expectations.
First of all, I thought the acting was good across the board (with one notable exception that I'll get to). Zooey Deschanel would seem the perfect person to play a rather sardonic Dorothy (though they didn't give her much opportunity to be sardonic). But I enjoyed watching her. The other actors were good as well with special mention to Alan Cumming and Neal McDonough. The other actors were fine as well.
Second, I liked the production design, costumes, music, and the general feel of the movie. Even though the world of the O.Z. seemed to have a multiple personality disorder. Sometimes it was rustic, sometimes industrial, sometimes urban punk. It was a bit hard to figure out what this world was supposed to be.
Third, the little references to the Wizard of OZ that were dropped by different characters. The twisting of the original concepts to fit into the world created by the movie. All of that was enjoyable to spot. I especially like their conception of the Tin Man.
Now, what I didn't like: the plot and the writing. I'm sorry but the plot was no more complex than the original Wizard of OZ which is fine for a children's story but disappointing for a film aimed at adults. The whole storyline was tepid when it should have soared. The plot was just boring. I kept waiting for the real movie to start. Things did pick up a little plotwise during the second part but the conclusion was utterly predictable.
Finally, I'm sorry, but I never once bought Kathleen Robertson as the evil sorceress. Her most evil expression was a slightly pouty look that seemed to say "Hey, I broke a nail!" rather than "I'm evil personified." And her dialogue must have come from Evil Supervillains 101.
The biggest problem was that her motivations were never really clear. Okay, here's a spoiler so you might want to stop reading. Why did she keep her mother alive? If she was really possessed by the witch, the witch would have no reason to keep the queen around. Especially once she had the emerald. At one point in the film, they make it look like Azkadellia is cooperating somewhat with the witch that possesses her. But that only occurs one time. Perhaps if the witch had seduced her rather than possessed her against her will, it would have had more impact. If she had agreed to join forces with the witch for some real or imagined slight on the part of her family it would have explained why she kept her mother, father, and sister alive and and why she may have taken some pleasure in them witnessing her victory. Finally, why did the old witch want to make the land dark anyway? Because she's evil? Who knows?
Ultimately, it's not a bad watch but doesn't meet expectations.