Tweens & Teens Movie Night Activity: Oz the Great and Powerful
“Maybe you‘re capable of more than you know.”
Oscar Diggs is a magician and a con-man who frequently gets himself into trouble. When he hides in a hot air balloon to avoid a fight, he ends up in the Land of Oz. Just when he thinks he’s out of harms way, he finds himself being hailed as the Great Wizard from a prophecy saying he would come to free the land from the Evil Witch. Will Oscar rise to the occasion and help the good people of Oz or will he be on the first balloon back to Kansas?
Wear While Watching:
*Oscar wears a top hat and Theodora is sporting a huge red hat when she meets him. Find some hats that match these characters, wear any hat or have a crazy hat contest and see who shows up with the most outrageous head-wear on.
*When Oscar is looking to build an army against the Evil Witch, he is introduced to the Quadlings, Tinkers, and Munchkins. Divide into 3 groups and have people dress like Quadlings (colorful dresses, suits and hats), Tinkers (white button up shirts, often with the sleeves rolled up, long, brown aprons, and long beards), or Munchkins (Guards have green hats, white gloves, and long, green, buttoned coats).
Home Theater Décor:
*Make it look like your watching a movie inside a circus tent by hanging plastic table covers from the ceiling. You could also display pictures of hot air balloons or decorate with real balloons as well.*When Oscar is in Kansas, the movie plays in black and white, but once he reaches Oz everything is in color. You could split your decorations the same way and have half of your movie space as Kansas (or at least the circus in Kansas) and the other as The Land of Oz. Be sure to include a sign that points the way to Emerald City, China Town, & the Dark Forest.
*Decorate with bubbles by using a bubble machine or just giving all your movie watching guests a bottle of bubbles to blow throughout the show. You could also put a sign on the door that says “All good hearted souls can pass through.”
Movie Munchies:
*Be sure to pop some popcorn to munch on while watching this movie, just like they would have at the circus if you were really there watching Oz perform. Another movie treat could be chocolate gold coins, much like gold Theodora and Evanora promised Oz.
*Have a whole movie inspired meal by choosing dishes for dinner like: Oz’s Great and Powerful Potato Bar, Glinda the “Gouda” Mac & Cheese, or China Girl‘s Fragile Frito Pie. For drinks serve Master Tinker Milkshakes or Knuck’s Knock Your Socks Off Lemonade. For dessert you could have Theodora S’more-ahs, Evanora’s Evil Caramel Apples or Finley’s Favorite Banana Cream Pie.
Movie Inspired Adventures:
*When China Girl wants to go with Oscar she holds on to his leg and begs. If you’re watching with younger kids, let them have a ride on your leg or set up a race to see which grown up can get the farthest with a “China Child” hold on to their legs.
*Oscar gets to Oz by hot air balloon. Go the extra mile with movie night by booking a hot air balloon ride for your family. While you won’t be swept away to Oz, you’re sure to have a fun time seeing the world from a different perspective.
*While this movie wasn’t taken directly from the book, it was based on themes from L. Frank Baum’s books about Oz. With over a dozen stories about more than just the Wizard, Witches and even Dorothy, you’re sure to find a book that holds the interest of you and your family. You could even start a book club, let everyone choose a different book then meet together to discuss what each book is about. There are also other Oz movies like the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz that your family might enjoy as well.
*LyndiLou* - The Good Movie Mom of the Northwest
Rated PG for sequences of action and scary images, and brief mild language; 130 min; Directed by Sam Raimi
Oz the Great and Powerful
Making a sequel (or a prequel in this case) to a classic is almost a no–win situation. The passing of years only contributes to making the original more beloved. Remember Return to Oz (1985)? Chances are, you don’t. In a few years, they will be asking that question about Oz the Great and Powerful, a movie that tells how the Wizard came to be the Wizard. A rascally carnival magician (James Franco) escapes trouble by getting in a hot–air balloon, and winds up in Oz, where he spends a lot of time watching special effects.
ClearPlay In Action!
The PG Oz the Great and Powerful is mostly family–ready, but ClearPlay cleans up a handful of mild profanities and religious exclamations. I believe a few suggestive close–ups are also trimmed.
Should I follow the yellow brick road to rent Oz?…
Unfortunately, Oz is neither great nor powerful. Franco is miscast as the Wizard, and Director Sam Raimi makes some odd choices with actress Mila Kunis. The build–up is nice, but 30 minutes in, the movie loses steam and becomes mostly hot air. The visual effects are great, but without characters to really care about, they’re like magic tricks without the patter — all show and no pay–off.
Marty Nabhan — ClearPlay Prestidigitator
Rated PG for sequences of action and scary images, and brief mild language; 130 min; Directed by Sam Raimi