MUST WATCH: First Trailer For Sam Raimi's OZ: THE GREAT AND POWERFUL!

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Ok - this looks good. I can see myself totally immersed in this thing even though being transported to another world by a tornado seems a bit of a stretch to accomplish. Suspension of disbelief seems to be working here.

Director Sam Raimi seems to have stepped up to the plate swinging with this effort, his first since DRAG ME TO HELL in 2009. Of course most will remember him for THE EVIL DEAD and the first three movies of the Spider-man franchise.

Note in the black and white beginning to the trailer, flames are shooting outside of the camera frame - this is going to really startle some folks as those flames will be coming right at you (in my estimation) - more so than normal. It's an old technique in 3D from the golden years and it looks like the beginning of the movie may have some of these sights gags. The way it works is that those black bars surrounding the movie hold space in reserve expressly for 3D purposes only. When an object moves into those black areas, the off the screen effect is greatly exaggerated. It should be impressive. I expect once the movie turns to color that the 'comin' at ya' moments fade off dramatically and goes for more immersion.

OZ Panel At Comic-Con 2012

You know, I used to find it hard to believe just about any character that James Franco plays, but he seems to be getting better as an actor. I had wondered why he kept getting such great roles in his career despite not having all the chops of some of his contemporaries, but I am pretty much over that now. 127 HOURS was great. He looks good here as Oz too. I think his best days are ahead of him. We'll see!

Here's the movie's storyline:
Disney's fantastical adventure Oz The Great and Powerful, directed by Sam Raimi, imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum’s beloved character, the Wizard of Oz. When Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he's hit the jackpot--fame and fortune are his for the taking--that is until he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone's been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity--and even a bit of wizardry--Oscar transforms himself not only into the great and powerful Wizard of Oz but into a better man as well.

Director: Sam Raimi
Writer: Mitchell Kapner
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Cast: James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz
Release: March 8, 2013

Website and Mobile site: Disney.com/TheWizard
Follow on Twitter: Twitter.com/DisneyPictures

Love the potential for 3D here. The visuals - especially of the Oz landscape are going to look outstanding! Can't wait to see the results. For all of our OZ: THE GREAT AND POWERFUL coverage, click here.