Movie Night: Return to Oz.

Review #393: Return to Oz.

Cast
Fairuza Balk (Dorothy Gale), Brian Henson (Jack Pumpkinhead), Sean Barrett (Tik-Tok), Nicol Williamson (Dr. Worley/Nome King), Jean Marsh (Head Nurse Wilson/Mombi), Denise Bryer (Billina), Lyle Conway (The Gump), Pons Maar (Lead Wheeler), Emma Ridley (Ozma), Piper Laurie (Aunt Em), Matt Clark (Uncle Henry), and Justin Case (The Scarecrow) Directed by Walter Murch.

Review
Released 46 years after the classic The Wizard of Oz (#159) (though there have been several films based on Oz in that span), and 234 reviews after I did my take on the film, I decided to review this, and why not considering summer's around the corner, so it's like a "return" for me. I don't like doing puns that much though...Anyway, this film has been called "dark", "depressing", and "cult classic". Are any of those words true? It is all a matter of opinion. But frankly, I like this film. Dark? Sure, but the Wizard of Oz had its moments of terror as well, what with the Flying Monkeys and all, so that criticism is on a slippery slope to begin with, but then again I like some dark elements, and it works allright in a land of Oz such as this. It is somewhat depressing...in the beginning. If the film had been less dark, it would be called out for being too similar to the 1939 film, and because it went dark, it gets called out for being too much not like the 1939 film, so it can't win either way with some people. It isn't as bleak as it could be because at least there is a sense of determination, a sense that these characters are worthy to be invested in, and while the Wheelers could be terrifying for young kids, it won't be as much for older ones, so that criticism doesn't have much of a leg to stand on. Plus, the Nome King effects are really good in my mind, and it shows a level of creativity, and the character is wicked enough to be a good villain, not Wicked Witch wicked, but oh well. The acting is good, even from a young child actor such as Fairuza Balk, a good choice for Dorothy. The five (Balk, Henson, Barrett, Bryer, Conway) are not exactly as great a group as the original, but at least they come close enough. This may have its oddities, but that doesn't mean it should be forgotten, as it is indeed a cult classic. Take it for what it's worth. Countdown to 400 Reviews: 10, 9, 8, 7...

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.