• Trust Weighted Really Great
  • 9 Trust Points

On Demand

Notify
Netflix On Demand

Amazon Instant Video On Demand

$2.99 Rental

iTunes On Demand

Not Available

YouTube

Tag Tree

Genre
Vibe
Setting
Protagonists
Demographic
Occaision
Production
Period
Source
Location

MJ5K's Review

Created Sep 26, 2009 02:50PM PST • Edited Dec 08, 2009 06:52PM PST

  1. Quality
  2. Really Great 4.5

    If you’re a hardcore fan of the light fluffyness of the 1939 classic “The Wizard of Oz,” and not of the dark turns, let me tell you, this long awaited sequel to the classic is 100 times darker and scarier. The original is a timeless classic but this one was a box office flop and has since been loved by fans of the original or the books by L. Frank Baum, or detested by those who stay loyal to the original and its roots.

    This one was based off two of the books that followed “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”, “Ozma of Oz” and “The Marvelous Land of Oz” and I found it at my local video store when I was about five. I was really excited to finally see what happened after the original, what I got was one of the funnest, creepiest, and scariest movies I’ve ever seen in my entire life. This was like something out of a Tim Burton student film. Now, to the credit of the first movie, that one was scary. However this one was friggin’ intense!!

    For starters, there are a lot of seriously scary, dark, and depressing overtones. Seeing as how this picks up where the first left off, Dorothy has been having numerous dreams ‘bout Oz and her Aunt and Uncle just think shes crazy. They then decide to send her to recieve electric shock therapy. She then escapes and ends up back in Oz with her pet chicken, Bolina(who for some reason, can talk now). She finds that the yellow brick road has been destroyed and the Emerald city is in ruins. This leads up to one of the scariest moments from my childhood. Whe she gets to the Emerald City, she’s being hunted down by these creepy demons called the Wheelers, they’re like the twisted combo of The Joker and Jim Carrey, only with wheels for their hands and feet. There’s also the creepy rock monster The Knome King and Princess Mombai, who wheres different heads for every occasion.

    Again, this movie is dark, so small children should stay away from this one. However, if you’re a fan of the dark and macarbe, definately check it out. Its a shame how its so overlooked seeing how its so well done and well executed. I wish people would give it more notice, it really is good. One of the best of the ’80’s in my opinion. We’re off to see the Wizard, but we may never return…..


    WATCH MY REVIEW IN WIKCHIP****

  3. Really Great 4.5

    Fairuza Balk’s portrayal of Dorothy is nothing compared to the immortal portrayal by Judy Garland, but she’s still good and brings charisma and strength her role, and it fits her, considering the fact that the character in the books was written as a very young girl. The voice acting for all the kooky characters is pretty good. Piper Laurie is great as Mombai and all the actors who played the wheelers are as creepy as can be.

  4. Male Stars Really Great 4.5
  5. Female Stars Really Great 4.5
  6. Female Costars Really Great 4.5
  7. Male Costars Really Great 4.5
  8. Really Great 4.5

    Man, did these special effects rule. They were almost as good as puppets provided from the Jim Henson Creature Workshop. There’s lots of stop motion special effects that look great as well.

  9. Direction Really Great 4.5
  10. Play Great 4.0
  11. Music Really Great 4.5
  12. Visuals Really Great 4.5
  13. Content
  14. Risqué 1.6

    Again, this movie is HEAVEY!! If your under the age of 7, stay away. Everyone else, its kinda heavey, but pretty tame.

  15. Sex Innocent 1.0
  16. Violence Fierce 1.7
  17. Rudeness Salty 2.0
  18. Fantasy 5.0
  19. Circumstantial Fantasy 5.0
  20. Biological Fantasy 5.0
  21. Physical Fantasy 5.0

Forum

Subscribe to Return to Oz 1 reply, 1 voice
  • 1 - 1 of 1
  • « First
  • Last »
  • ◄ PREVIOUS
  • NEXT ►
Dec 26, 2009 9:40PM
jasonhurwitz

Someday, I’m going to have to rewatch this movie (I actually own it) and write a review. But for now, in this forum, I’d like to go on record and say that this movie scared the hell out of me when I saw it in kindergarten.