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Summary: Only the best, strangest movie ever created...
Review: I saw this movie first when I was very young, and much as it disturbed me I loved it even more. The wheelers have haunted me all my life! haha, but this movie rules so much. I highly recommend it. There's not much more I can say about it.
Rating:
Summary: Great all time favourite
Review: From the first time I saw this movie at around age 5, I have never let go of it. A great movie for all ages and an instant classic. I'm extremely happy to see it's re-release.
Rating:
Summary: Loving Long Time Fan
Review: I haven't seen this film in ten years!! You would think that I wouldn't be the right person to rate The Return To Oz, but this movie effected me. It came out when I was two and I don't know how old I was when I first saw it, but during the five-or-so years that I did own it, before it disappeared mysteriously, I must have watched a gazzlion times. I loved it's emotional realisticness; not everyone in Kansas and Oz was high on happiness and good cheer, as it's storyline predecessor The Wizard of Oz was. Fairuza Balk played a sweetly strong-willed Dorothy; Balk is more resently known for her role in The Craft. Don't believe me? Very different roles, I know, but compare the smile and credits. I don't know this for sure, but because the animatronic characters are so endearing I was not suprised to hear that Steven Spielburg was the unnamed co-director. I have been able to find this movie to rent, but you'll love The Return To Oz *SO MUCH* that you'll want to have it in your own video collection!
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Summary: BROODING FANTASY SENSITIVELY AND SERIOUSLY HANDLED
Review: "Return to Oz" truly stands up as a fascinating film in its own right; to even call it a sequel to the 1939 film is silly in that is more closely suggests the original source material (the Baum books) than the MGM movie did. While I consider the '39 version a classic, this film captures the dark undertone of Baum's work and creates a unique cinematic world all its own. The visuals owe a great deal to the original John R. Neill illustrations, and Murch is sensitive to fans of both the books and the MGM movie, incorporating elements from each. Fairuza Balk is a marvellous Dorothy; sweet and serious, with an ability to effectively portray the poingnancy required in the early Kansas scenes. And, in speaking of those Kansas scenes: what a terrific evocation of a child's gothic nightmare! Insane asylums, evil doctors, formidable nurses, and electric shock! Murch beautifully sets up this Kansas world: realistic, warm home life in a small farmhouse and a Victorian "hospital" that is the stuff of nightmare. In fact, perhaps Murch's Kansas is almost more immediate and real than the fantasyworld of Oz. While he attempts to create a magical land that is both dark and mystical, whimsical and frightening, he mostly succeeds in moving the story along without fully interjecting the life into his fantasyland. Perhaps this is the result of the animatronic characters, who lack the warmth in their stiff faces that human beings would have brought to the roles. Still, the visuals are for the most part stunning, the sequence with Mombi and her heads is exciting and terrifying, the Nome King is effectively portrayed, and the story clips along at a brisk place. When the final scene in Oz occurs, however, I couldn't help but wish for a Lion and a Tin Woodsman who exhibited a little more life. This, however, is a minor quibble in the end. Murch ultimately creates a world of magic and fear that is quite entertaining, and the parallels he sets up between Oz and Kansas encourage further examination. Likewise, the whole story is treated with a seriousness that is often lacking in "children's" films; slapstick and silly characters are often the focus of lesser films--but Murch understands how grave and serious children can be at heart. All in all, "Return to Oz" succeeds as a beautiful and rich film--not perfect, but always interesting, magical, and though provoking.
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Summary: One of the most underrated films is finally re-released!
Review: I saw this film purely by accident and was immediately taken by it. Beautifully mounted, scary, haunting, funny, elegant, exciting and utterly charming. It captures the spirit of the books and more. Fairuza Balk is a perfect Dorothy. Totally believable... you really feel that she loves Oz and her friends.Great direction, music, sets, costumes, cast, etc. Don't miss it!
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Summary: The best sequel I have ever seen!
Review: I thought Return to Oz was not only fantastic, but also dark and humorous. I saw it when I was five years old, and I have loved it ever since. Mombi has got to be one of the scariest villains I have ever seen on the TV screen. The Nome King was terrifying. Dorothy, played by 9 year old Fairuza Balk (in her acting debut), was also great. The effects ruled, Piper Laurie's return to the screen was also very good. All in all, I would give it 5 stars, and an A+. Well, make it A+++ ;-)
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Summary: CHILDREN OF THE 80'S UNITE!!!!!
Review: This is a trippy film and every time I watch it I'm thrown back to my childhood. The late 70's and into the 80's was a crazy time for children's films. 'Willy Wonka', 'Neverending Story', 'Young Sherlock Holmes', and 'Oz' are all wacky movies that I watched as a kid and was affected by. They also have staying power. I can watch them and enjoy them even now. Unlike the crap these days that panders down to kids, these movies are ones even adults can appriciate. Watch this. It'll trip you out! Children of the 80's unite!
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Summary: so glad it's re-released.
Review: i first saw this movie when i was 5... my mom hated it, thought it would scare me. i loved it... last year i got it in my head that i wanted to watch it again and couldn't find it anywhere. I finally found it to rent and watched it like 5 times before i brought it back. My boyfriend thought i was demented. i'm glad i can buy it now and watch it whenever i want.
Rating:
Summary: Return to Oz
Review: Dark, psychological, spirital, and wonderful surreal HUGELY underated film ! I love this movie ! It is a wonderful adaption of OZ . Very good FX . I do love the original Wizard of Oz...BUT i do like this film better not too compare, but i can sit down and watch this film many more times than i can than Wizard . Fairuza Balk is wonderful the Nome King is amazing . The dark overtone of the film is great (i am not morbid) i just love this type of movie . Many hidden psychological undertones here .The DVD transfer is amazing in its clarity and its proper LTBX image keeps the image framed right . The Dolby 5.1 mix is great there could be a little bit more surround ambience but still very good for a 1985 film soundtrack . I can not say enough about this film . It is one of those great underated movies that makes it way up there on my sacred favorite list ! Buy the DVD or LTBX VHS and ENJOY ! One word of caution maybe not good for young children to watch BUT i would love to have seen this as a young kid and get scared to death it would have made it even more enthralling for me AAA+++
Rating:
Summary: Very Good
Review: It was a very good movie! It is not as good as The Wizard of Oz, but it has its good points.
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