The Wizard of Oz

Rating:
Summary: Baum's Book in 26 Minutes
Review: I'm always anxious to see any kind of film version of the Oz stories because I love Baum's books. The problem is the film creators usually ditch the details of the Baum books and go for an overall look and feel of the famous MGM version of the "Wizard of Oz". Maybe they think it's what audiences want or maybe it will be more sucessful or whatever.

Goodtimes Entertainment just released this DVD of "Wizard of Oz" which is animated and runs 26 minutes. It's the 1991, Golden Films/South Korean co-production directed by Jim Simon. It was previously only available on VHS and I never got the chance to see it so i was excited to find this little jewel at the video store.

I'm impressed at how much from the Baum book is in there: the Silver Shoes (not Ruby); the Good Witch of the North (not Glenda) and her kiss of protection; the story of the Wicked Witch of the East putting a spell on the Tin Woodsman; the Kalidahs; the Wicked Witch of the West NOT following them throughout their journey; the Winged Monkeys and the Golden Cap. I'd give this movie five stars since they were able to include those things AND the classic parts of the story... all within 26 minutes.

... I'd rate it five stars IF it weren't for the poor animation (which is very jumpy at times), and the fact that the main lessons of the story aren't really conveyed throughout. For example, the Scarecrow is portrayed as genuinely stupid and the Lion doesn't really do much that's courageous yet at the end we're told that they had BRAINS and COURAGE all along and didn't realize it. Also, there's nothing particularly grand about the Emerald City or the Wizard. For those reasons, I'd give it only one star... so I'll average the two scores for a final THREE STARS.

This DVD is definitely worth a view... especially at $5.95!

Rating:
Summary: Baum's Book in 26 Minutes
Review: I'm always anxious to see any kind of film version of the Oz stories because I love Baum's books. The problem is the film creators usually ditch the details of the Baum books and go for an overall look and feel of the famous MGM version of the "Wizard of Oz". Maybe they think it's what audiences want or maybe it will be more sucessful or whatever.

Goodtimes Entertainment just released this DVD of "Wizard of Oz" which is animated and runs 26 minutes. It's the 1991, Golden Films/South Korean co-production directed by Jim Simon. It was previously only available on VHS and I never got the chance to see it so i was excited to find this little jewel at the video store.

I'm impressed at how much from the Baum book is in there: the Silver Shoes (not Ruby); the Good Witch of the North (not Glenda) and her kiss of protection; the story of the Wicked Witch of the East putting a spell on the Tin Woodsman; the Kalidahs; the Wicked Witch of the West NOT following them throughout their journey; the Winged Monkeys and the Golden Cap. I'd give this movie five stars since they were able to include those things AND the classic parts of the story... all within 26 minutes.

... I'd rate it five stars IF it weren't for the poor animation (which is very jumpy at times), and the fact that the main lessons of the story aren't really conveyed throughout. For example, the Scarecrow is portrayed as genuinely stupid and the Lion doesn't really do much that's courageous yet at the end we're told that they had BRAINS and COURAGE all along and didn't realize it. Also, there's nothing particularly grand about the Emerald City or the Wizard. For those reasons, I'd give it only one star... so I'll average the two scores for a final THREE STARS.

This DVD is definitely worth a view... especially at $5.95!