Rating: 
Summary: You can't win!
Review: That's the song that introduces Michael Jackson's Scarecrow in The Wiz! I love this movie. It's cheesey as hell and a camp classic the songs are top notch fair and in some cases beat out the lyrics from The Wizard Of OZ! Just listen to Ms. Ross belt out "Home" or when michael and her team up for "Ease on down the road"! The plot is also fun it takes the premise of the original and places it in New York. The dialogue is great with slang and refrences to black pop culture. Lumet paints the film with a colorful glaze of magic and distress by making the colors pop off the screen and the use of glow in the dark images is astonishing. The soundtrack is also a must buy this film is a complete child's fairy tale and it's beautiful. After hearing "Don't Nobody Bring Me No Bad News" you'll be easing on down the road and humming the tunes for days!
Rating: 
Summary: Ease on down to fun and glitz and pure spectacle
Review: In this very updated version of the well beloved children classic 'The Wizard of Oz', we are transported to a world of music, neat special effects, eye popping costumes and fantastic retelling tale of the wonderful wizard of Oz. No version can compared with the evergreen MGM classic and with that in mind, have an open mind, take in what is given to us and enjoy the ride.Based on the Broadway musical of the same name, this film version combines the talents of pop singers and Broadway stars. Excellent cast.Made in the era of early rise of disco, this all black cast gave an impressive performance of their carreer especially Michael Jackson and Nipsey Russell. Diana Ross seems a liitle out of place at times as a timid school teacher but all is forgiven when she gets to belt out soaring ballads and the hit song, 'Ease On Down The Road'. Music reflects the times and it is pure R & B, disco and some soul.A great mix penned by Charles Small, Quincy Jones, Nikolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson. Chereographed By Louis Johnson and many of the production numbers are simply brilliant especially The Emerald City Sequence and A Brand New Day which takes place in a warehouse. Costumes were provided by the top designers at the time and it is fabulous. While with all the preceedings, the story is still the same except for minor changes for the role of Dorothy where she is now a 34 years old school teacher. The rest of the characters are the same. This film cleverly use the backdrop of New York city and was transformed into the magical world of Oz. The Emerald City uses the World Trade Centre and it is truly magnificent. While the yellow brick road takes us all over New York, even the New York city library is not spared, (well only the facade was used). Being a musical, this version doesn't dissapoint. When it was first release, critics said it was outdated and old fashioned. It was the same remark given when The Sound Of Music was released. Now isn't that a trite cliche. I have to give my thumbs up to Sidney Lumet for his first time directing a musical. I throughly enjoy 'The Wiz' and it a shame I was still young to catch it at the cinemas, where it can really be enjoyed. However when it is on video/DVD it is still a worthwhile watch. You do feel like easing down the road with the cast. CATCH IT!
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous!!
Review: I absolutely LOVE this movie!! It's not a REMAKE of The Wizard of Oz with Judy Garland... It's an interpretation of L. Frank Baum's story - with flavor. I would have preferred a younger Dorothy (Stephanie Mills wasn't available I guess), but Diana pulls it off in her own way. Michael, Nipsey, and Ted Ross (Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion) were tops in their roles - they could have given Richard Pryor more depth as the Wiz, but all in all, I've loved this movie since I was 7 in 1978 and I still love it now... matter of fact, I need to order another DVD since the one I have is scratched from playing it so much...
Rating:
Summary: Unbelievably Fun
Review: Boo, hiss to all the naysayers of the one and only 'Wiz'. A few of my friends got together at the DVD store the other night and out of all the available titles settled on this one, primarily for nostaligic reasons. Once we got home and popped it in, well, it was more than just simple sentimentality that carried us off to another world. This musical is awesome. The story is timeless, the songs are unforgettable and the widescreen transfer is excellent. One only wishes for more goodies on the disc. I often scratch my head at why Sidney Lumet directed this, but knowing that he is one of the top five directors ever who understands New York City, it now makes perfect sense. The location shots are amazing, especially with the massive Albert Whitlock visuals. And as hard as it may be to watch Diana Ross play a 24 year old single woman, she achieves it with simple gestures and that pure, honey voice. It's a huge treat to watch this movie and I look forward to repeat viewings.
Rating: 
Summary: Unease on the Road
Review: THE WIZ attempted to be the grooviest movie musical ever. But, somewhere along the way, the groove was lost. The Broadway show itself is a simple piece presented with power and emotion. So, it was destined to make a transfer to film. But in some ways, the film is a disappointment. The film's tone is so dark that it strips the show of much of the stage show's original fun. Gone were many of the comparisons with THE WIZARD OF OZ, traded in for a land of urban decay. Under the direction of Sidney Lumet, the film had some interesting choices made. First and most successfully is the use of New York locations. This obviously had a big effect on the films success as well as the budget. An additional advantage was in the films casting. Involving the likes of Diana Ross, Lena Horne, Michael Jackson, Richard Pryor, Nipsey Russell, Sidney Lumet and Quincy Jones guaranteed the film to get a lot of attention. The Crows, the Winkies, the Munchkins, the Flying Monkeys and the attacking bouncy dolls are the stuff that children's nightmares are made of. These elements are surreal enough that the viewer can't grow to attached and that hurts the film.
But, musically, the film delivers, sometimes too much. Some of the songs are redundant in most part due to a unnecessarily verbose screenplay adaptation. So, the film has elements of success but could've used a less distorted view. There are some positive elements in the film. The casting of Mabel King as Evilene is a coup and Lena Horne's torch song near the end of the film is stunning. The DVD itself has a pretty good video transfer, but the original film was so dark, it is hard to get much more out of it. Likewise, the audio transfer is a bit disappointing, especially from a movie musical.
Rating:
Summary: THE WIZ RULES !!
Review: THE WIZ is classic, colossal, mystical, magical, spiritual, electrifying, dynamic, lavish, outstanding, colorful, uplifting, upbeat, sensational, whimsical, fantastic, mysterious, frightening, powerful, emotional, exciting, musically charged, visually stimulating and entertaining fun. Diana Ross is perfect as Dorothy. She gives it her all and you can see her dedicated emotion to every ballad she sings. She is Dorothy without a doubt! Lets not forget that *THE WIZ* was nominated for 4 ACADEMY AWARDS. Regardless to what the critics or bashers say about this movie, it is without a doubt one of the best ever made and should be recognized as such. DVD version is a must have for your collection, although it could have included better features and a commentary. THE WIZ RULES!!!
Rating:
Summary: The Best Entertainment Ever
Review: I absolutely LOVE the Whiz.
Rating:
Summary: Easing Down the Road
Review: The hit song from this musical say it all. A spectacular flop at the time of its 1978 release, the movie has since, amazingly, gained some respect, fans AND critical acclaim. A far cry from the original wide-spread declaration that it was the movie that killed black films. Admittedly, the movie does have its setbacks and embarressing moments, but the fault lies with the talents behind the camera as opposed to the talents in front. As Donald Bogle claimed in his book 'Blacks in American Films and Television,' the movie's "most important creators - the director Sidney Lumet and the writer Joel Schumacher - were white artists, totally out of tune with the material and the style of their performers." I might add that Sidney Lumet (Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon) was totally out of his element. What was he doing directing a musical? Being a fan of Diana Ross, I remember the concern and snide remarks at the time of her being "too old" to portray Dorothy. I had no reservation about it since her role was changed to that of a schoolteacher who was slowing learning and accepting herself. Its a process that many people go through throughout their lives. People change, people grow. I still do. I did, however, cringed whenever I was "forced" to watch the camera zoom into a tight shot of Diana Ross' face, whenever she sung, until it was all you could see on the big screen. It was as if the director was trying to prove that Diana Ross WAS too old to play the role by showing the viewers an adult, grown-up face. I like my diva - but not that up close and personal. It's hard to suspend disbelief in a movie that justifiably ask the viewers for it - talking scarecrows, flying monkeys, etc., when the director literally puts reality in front of you. For me, that was a major misstep on the director's part; another was not knowing when to stop the stage director from adding yet another prop to the busy, over-crowded scenery. Your eyes are focusing everywhere, like a child in a candy store, but the storyline where movie survival is dependent upon...so one would have to excuse the audience if they detour away from the yellow brick road every once in a while to take in the scenery. There is just too much to see! Luckily, the energy and performances of the cast overcomes the silly, unfocused direction and guides the audience back into fantasy. You come to believe in them and sympathize with their plight. Ted Ross, Michael Jackson and Nipsey Russell are perfectly cast in their roles as Diana's companions (immortalized even) but my favorite character was also the most underused, Evilene, as played by Mabel King (who originated the role on Broadway). Her 'Don't Nobody Bring Me No Bad News' is the movie's highlight. It would have been good news if her role was expanded (much like the original witch in 'THE WIZARD OF OZ') but she is introduced much too late; her on-screen time, way too little, and her performance over-looked and underrated. What were they thinking? And then, there is Richard Pryor - miscast as the Wiz. Talent is such a terrible thing to waste. The strength of the movie is the music. Under the direction of Quincy Jones, it is not to be ignored. Each musical sequence glows, with the exception of Lena Horn's 'Believe in Yourself' which looks as if it was tacked in the end (like she was tacked to the wall) to give Lena "her" musical moment. Don't get me wrong, she sings the song with conviction but its hard to believe in her when she's pinned down! Many soundtracks, in my opinion, are not very good without the visuals, but the music from 'The Wiz' is an exception. One can easily buy the cd without ever watching the movie and enjoy the music on its own merit. Come to think of it, maybe you should listen to the cd first THEN see the movie and you may come away with a more favorable opinion. Although I may sound harsh in my review, the movie is not as bad as "history" has made it to be. There are worse on-screen musicals (can anyone say 'ONE FROM THE HEART') and credit must be given to the cast for elevating the film up and away from the, um-hum, toilet that it could have easily fallen into (the movie made me say it). THE WIZ has since become a cult classic and a favorite of many kids (and adults) of all cultures. It works on a level that only the most memorable fantasy films can thrive on: magic. It does have its moments (Michael Jackson's 'You Can't Win' segment, for instance) and the backdrop of real New York sites where it was actually filmed(the World Trade Center makes an impressive appearance) is an added plus and a fitting tribute. In the end I would have to agree with Donald Bogle's overall assessment of the film: 'THE WIZ may well become a classic, simply because it's one of the few big-budgeted black films the industry turned out in the 1970's and its all-star black parade is destined to be of interest to later generations just as CABIN IN THE SKY and STORMY WEATHER are. So audiences are bound to view it, out of curiosity if nothing else...'
Rating:
Summary: I love this movie!
Review: Everytime I watch The Wiz I smile. The music just makes you want to dance. Do not watch this movie and compare it to the Wizard of Oz, it is not a remake. This movie is an interpretation of the book. It puts a wonderfully imaginative black twist on a familiar story. I had the video but the tape broke from watching it to much. I'm buying the DVD so that my 4 year old daughter can experience The Wiz. "Believe" and "Home" will bring tears to your eyes and "Ease on down the road" will make you want to do just that.
Rating:
Summary: I Love The WIZ
Review: Yes, the original is excellent-a true classic in every sense. But let's be modern, and culturally plural with our perspectives. Diana Ross soars, the film is lavish and urban, with the right amount of grittyness. Supporting characters are great too. It's a shame that black themed movies can't muster the same followings that a mainstream film can. When will this narrow vision cease to exist. Give black films a try, especially when they star black stars such as MISS ROSS who set the mold for entertainers of all colors!!!
|
