Return to Oz
|
List Price: Our Price: $5.84 You Save: $9.15 (61%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Return to Oz
Movie Review: Return To Oz~Sequel To A Movie That Doesn't Exist
Summary: 5 Stars
Return To Oz came out when I was only 3 years old. One of my earliest memories is of seeing this in the theater. My sister and I would beg our parents to rent the video out through out the late '80s until somebody finally taped the movie for us. Yet, it was frustrating to me as a child that this movie didn't "go" with The Wizard of Oz. Where were the songs? Why was Dorothy younger? Why did Uncle Henry have a beard? Where did the farm hands go? And most importantly, why did the Scarecrow have "golf ball" eyes? I was well grown before I realised this movie isn't really a sequel to the 1939 film. The title may indicated that it's a sequel, but don't let that fool you. It's a film all on it's own. (In my eyes, if it's to be called a sequel, it's to a film that was never made.) And the truth is, it's much more enjoyable when you aren't fretting that it doesn't go with the other film. Sure, there are those ruby slippers, but other than that this is based on the L. Frank Baum books (which I am a huge fan of.) As far as people saying that this is closer to the spirit of Baum's OZ, I wonder if they read the same books that I did. Yeah, there were no floating Glinda bubbles or the "it was all a dream" ending, but I fail to remember Oz being dark. I mean, it wasn't all sunshine and lollipop guilds, but it was never this gloomy. And like The Wizard of Oz, some things are lost in translation or added that weren't in the books. As neat and terrifying as that Nome King is, he is hardly what is described in the books, which is a short fat rock colored Santa Claus type. (And if that is Santa Claus, I sure as heck wouldn't want him coming down my chimney!) That aside, the makers of this film did try to make the characters look like the John R. Neill illustations. I would rank this as one of my favorite films.Movie Review: REALLY GREAT!!
Summary: 5 Stars
In Return to Oz (a version that may be a bit too scary for young children) Auntie Em sends Dorothy to a sanitarium where hopefully she will clear her head from all of the "Oz nonsense." This doesn't work, for soon Dorothy manages to return to Oz, but things have definitely changed. She finds her old friends turned to stone and discovers that an awful Nome king has taken over Oz.
A dark fantasy-adventure, Return to Oz follows in the tone of the original L. Frank Baum books, Ozma of Oz and Land of Oz, rather than posing as a sequel to the classic of all family films, The Wizard of Oz. While seeming pretty creepy for younger viewers, older audiences may just be disturbed at the faded post-apocalyptic settings and bleak story when compared to the cheery and bright Technicolor of the 1939 Judy Garland Hollywood version. Opting for depressing and evil characters in lieu of the beloved simple types of the first is only one example of how a comparison puts this new version at a disadvantage. However, Return to Oz is stylistically compelling, doing its best to cinematically render Baum's original character drawings of the Tin Man and the Scarecrow. Will Vinton (creator of the stop-motion California Raisins) did some award-winning work on some of the creatures and special effects. By avoiding the musical genre trappings and casting a Dorothy (Fairuza Balk, in her first screen role) of actual kid age, it doesn't seem to patronize the youth audience with sugar-coated moralizing. Not known for his work in family entertainment anyway, writer/director Walter Murch previously worked as an editor and sound designer for Apocalypse Now and The Godfather. By offering a family-friendly way into a nightmare fantasy.
Movie Review: A Haunting Film
Summary: 5 Stars
I first saw this movie around six years old. I know most people would advise against that, but I was entranced. I had been in love with the Oz story since age two, and seeing Return To Oz was inevitable. It is definitely a frightening movie, but for me, I think because I had just gone through the death of my sister, it was very therapeutic. I identified with Dorothy's struggles and the dark cloud hanging over her home.
I am amazed, watching it now, at the sheer quality of the film technically, the animatronics and claymation are incredible. (I really believe you couldn't get much better quality today even with the high-tech effects available. It is also worthy to note that the occasional place in the movie where you notice the special effects creates a deeper connection to it--a connection much harder to receive with the over-glossy special effects of today.)
The score gives me chills every time I hear it--it is beyond brilliant. Looking at the types of instruments this movie used--I realize how much it shaped my evolving musical tastes (such as the lute-like instrument used by Mombi and the violin singing the main theme).
I loved the Oz books by L. Frank Baum and I have always appreciated the care the produders and director took to bring his vision to the screen. I love the Judy Garland version, but Return to Oz captures the heart and soul of the books.
I highly recommend this film--to children seven and up (with discretion), and any adults interested in children's literature or fantasy. It's themes are family oriented, and it truly expresses a childlike heroism in a humble and haunting way.
Movie Review: over the rainbow?
Summary: 5 Stars
I have loved this film ever since I'd first watched it when I was 7. Ironically, having grown up with this version of Oz instead of the Judy Garland version, I was rather disturbed by the fact that this land of Oz was once pretty much a merry, not to mention colorful, wonderland. But when I heard of the actual book I figured the 1939 musical was simply 'inspired by' it, rather than based upon the book itself. I mean, there has to be some form of fear and darkness in a land completely different from home right?
Although I haven't read the book, I have heard that both versions are not entirely based upon it. I assume that the original Wizard of Oz took the brighter aspect of the land of Oz while Return to Oz took the creepiness and fear to another level.
This film starts from the point when we have a surprisingly young Dorothy raving about a brilliant world called Oz, and Aunt Em decides that Dorothy needs psychological therapy. Already kind of odd, no? This sets the tone for most of the film: bleak, creepy, and kinda scary. Although not an outright horror film, it's pretty scary for a Disney movie. Once Dorothy has returned to Oz, it is a completely different matter. Her friends have all turned into stone, there are hideous creatures called The Wheelers, and a headless princess. That scene with the princess chasing Dorothy was one of the scariest (and best) things I'd seen as a kid. Which is precisely what made me want to watch it again.
This is a film that shouldn't be missed. Since I have never read the books before, I cannot comment on the accuracy of the adaptation, but I still love the film for what it is.
Movie Review: A psychedelic trip down the yellow brick road
Summary: 5 Stars
"Return to Oz" is an underrated '80s fantasy classic. Forget the Tom Cruise with an Afro abomination "Legend",skip the Middle Earth-aping "Willow",venture down the yellow brick road and return to Oz. "Return to Oz" opened to mixed reviews back in 1985... but it is now rightfully enshrined as a cult classic.
In "Return to Oz",Dorothy Gale (Fairuza Balk,pitch-perfect in the role) has had troubled sleep. She still dreams of Oz. Her concerned Aunt Em (Piper Laurie),takes her to a local doctor for electro-shock therapy. During a thunderstorm, a mysterious girl rescues Dorothy. Dorothy finds herself in Oz.. the yellow brick road is ruined,and the Emerald City has become a ravaged dystopia ruled by the menacing Wheelers. The depiction of the Emerald City as an ancient ruin is spectacular. Dorothy finds the friendly robot Tik-Tok,as well as the evil Princess Mombi (Jean Marsh) who has a collection of heads. The head collection scene is eerie. It stunned&chilled me back then... and it's breathtaking now. In the end, Dorothy confronts the Nome King (a menacing Nicol Williamson) Order is restored to Oz,along with Princess Ozma. There's a happy ending,and plenty of adventures along the way.
"Return to Oz" stands as a classic. There's plenty of suspense;the movie never drags or plods. Balk is pitch-perfect as the innocent,brave Dorothy. "Return to Oz" might be too terrifying for the younger set (such as the headless Mombi chase scene),but for older children (and Oz-loving adults),it's perfect. You don't have to say goodbye to the yellow brick road.