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Audience Applauds Long-Awaited "Oz The Great And Powerful"

HOLLYWOOD (WWJ) – The long-awaited, highly-anticipated "Oz The Great and Powerful" is finally here! There was so much fanfare and excitement when the cast and crew were in metro-Detroit (Pontiac to be exact) filming in 2011, that this movie couldn't arrive soon enough. Perhaps that's why there was such a long line waiting to get into the preview screening I attended and the theater was packed.

What did the preview audience think? They absolutely loved it! Two hours after the movie began and the credits started rolling, the audience broke out into applause.

With the original "Wizard of Oz" being one of Hollywood's most-beloved films, it was quite a gamble for Disney to green-light this project. But, it looks like a gamble that'll definitely pay off.

Before "The Wizard Of Oz"

If you've ever wondered what went on in the land of Oz before Dorothy and Toto came along, or how the Wizard of Oz became the Wizard of Oz, "Oz The Great and Powerful" will answer those questions for you.

"Oz" is actually small-time circus magician Oscar Diggs whose hot air balloon gets swept up in a tornado that lands in the magical land of Oz. When Oscar lands, he encounters three witches: Theodora (Mila Kunis), her evil sister Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda, the good witch (Michelle Williams). But before Oscar can "ascend" to the throne and become "Oz The Great And Powerful," he has much to prove – and helping him along the way are China Girl (13-year-old Joey King) and Finley, the flying monkey (Zach Braff), and eventually a cast of others.

Should you go see "Oz The Great And Powerful?" Only if you love adventure and/or you're a fan of "The Wizard of Oz." And who isn't?

"Oz The Great And Powerful" is rated PG.

Click here to see the official trailer.

I'll see you at the movies!

Follow Terri on Twitter @TerriJLee

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