LBytes

I watched the 1st season on SyFy, and again just recently on Blu-ray. It is an impressively well-thought-out production, with some elements that reminded me of the Babylon 5 series. All the acting is 1st rate, good special effects are sprinkled here and there that make it look quite realistc, plot devices move the story along without looking plugged-in, and a tension exists on-screen that makes you want to watch the next episode. There's a lot to like here, and I've seen enough of the 2nd season to say it is shaping up to be as good as the 1st!

Oz the .... will never be mistaken for a great movie or one that lets you forget about the classic Wizard of Oz. The pacing seems a little off sometimes and the dialog is occasionally stilted. That said, I was generally pleased with it. Some scenes & effects are obvious tributes to the 30's classic and were enjoyable. I've been put off by James Franco in other movies, but unlike many here I think he played a sleazy carnival con man who is slowly turned into a good guy fairly well. Rachel Weisz does the best with her role, but she had some of the best lines while others had more clunky dialog. Oz the Great and Powerful is worth seeing.