The Wiz

Rating:
Summary: poorly directed, some good musical numbers, Diana too old.
Review: I was disappointed to say the least. Not entertaining appart from two musical numbers, 'You can't win' & 'Ease on down the road'. Diana is too old to play a young Dorothy, and it's all to fake really. I read somewhere about Sidney Lumet, that if he had the chance to do one of his movies again he would do The Wiz. Need I say more?!

Rating:
Summary: Slow, Weak, and Tedious
Review: Although it sports a first rate cast, a brilliant score, and premiere production values, the film version of "The Wiz" is about as slow as molasses in a hard freeze on the high plains. The celebrated stars, particularly Ross and Jackson, deliver surprisingly weak performances which drag the film to a near standstill, and the director lacks any real feeling for the surreal fantasy of the material; even more surprising, the film traffics in a weird sort of covert racism of imagery which stereotypes the all-black cast in a way which the stage production does not. One gets the feeling that every one involved gritted their teeth with steely determination to make a classic; in consequence, the only thing which emerges on the screen is gritted teeth. Instead of buying or renting the film, order a copy of the Broadway soundtrack, which shows you what a sparkler the show really is.

Rating:
Summary: A numbing experience
Review: This was a huge disappointment for me back in 1978 and it has NOT improved with age, except for a few of the dance sequences.

Rating:
Summary: A REASON TO REJOICE
Review: THIS IS ONE OF THOSE NEVER APPRECIATED CLASSICS. THE WIZ HAD A SUPERB ALL STAR CAST. MAN TO SEE MICHAEL JACKSON DANCE AND SING, HE DOESN'T LOOK REAL, HE MOVES JUST THAT GOOD. BUT ALL OF THEM DID A GOOD JOB. THE ONLY REAL COMPLAINTS ARE DIANA ROSS AS DOROTHY. SHE WAS TO OLD TO PLAY THAT ROLE AND HER ACTING WAS ANNOYING. SHE SHOULD OF TAKEN SOME LESSONS FROM THE OTHER CAST MEMBERS. THE MUSIC IS GREAT AND BEAUTIFUL, VERY SPIRITUAL STUFF ESPECIALLY A BRAND NEW DAY.

Rating:
Summary: You have GOTS to be kidding me.
Review: Ok, ok, ok. Picture "The Wiz" (the original staged produtction). This musical, in itself, is truly a wonderful, witty, intelligent, and just basically a fun piece of theatre. It had it's hyped moments, and it's emotional ones. Filled with showstoppers, a strong cast and score, this musical deserved all the praise it received...and then the movie came out. =( This movie by FAR, is a joke (to say the least). By casting an annoying, old screecher like Diana Ross as the young, beloved Dorothy, thy already destroyed the film. She is about 30, and no, not a naive little farmgirl--but an NYC SCHOOLTEACHER NOW! AND she's still living with her "skinny" aunt. That was the best part. No wait, the best part was when she goes "TOTO--TOTOOOOOOOOO" when that random snow tornado happened to enter the NYC realm (i forgot how frequently tornados rip thru the city). And where does this tornado take her too? THE LAND OF ACID-TRIP NYC. Now, i understand that the director probably wanted a "new outlook" on OZ, but baby, this AIN'T the approach. Oh, there are many ridiculous things I can tell you about in this film. For example: the hilarious Addapearle is now "Miss One" (which means WHAT exactly? One what?), the munchinks are now these graffitied homeys on the wall, the witch runs a SWEATSHOP factory for crying out load and that lardball SINKS into her chair when she dies. And WHERE exactly does that freak peddler person come in?! You know, the one who is always causing havoc on dorothy--like in the subway, his chinese puppet dolls grow digger and bigger and chase dorothy and her friends. but THEN--the foundations which hold up the subway station break free and chase them too. Are they for real?! Stop and think to yourself for a minute here folks. This movie is ludicrous. I actually advise you to rent it and see it for yourself. It's worth a good laugh to view a disaster every now and then.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely spellbinding!!!
Review: This is a great title to see. It took me back to my younger days when one could lose themselves in the magic of a good movie. Excellent movie -- would that I will pass down to my children.

Rating:
Summary: A classic forever !!
Review: This movie came unto the scene when I was only 8 yrs old. I must say that-it has the same impression on me now as it did then. I originally owned this movie on laserdisc. I overhauled my library about a year ago, after being impressed with DVD. I was skeptic at first, before buying the DVD version. Now that I bought it, I realize that this was a great decision !!!!! The transfer for this 21 yr old movie is superb !! Great job. Great video-great audio. For anyone, such as myself, who adores this movie-don't miss out. Go out and make this title part of your collection. Don't waste time renting. This is a title that should be in all homes. Performances in this movie were great to me as a child, and now they are great to me as an adult !!

Rating:
Summary: Has assets and downsides
Review: This film had its assets. Some of the musical numbers ("Ease On Down the Road", "Can't You Feel a Brand New Day?", "Don't Nobody Bring Me No Bad News") are good. Michael Jackson, Ted Ross, and Mabel King give good performances. Then there are some downsides to this film. Diana Ross is okay, but it's true that she's way too old; she was 34!!!! She doesn't sing very well, except in the last song, "Home". She has an irratating high voice, too. Lena Horne sings and speaks very well, but she sings in a strange way, constantly stretching out her arms as if in a plea to be liked. This film has very surreal elements, like the Munchkins coming out of the walls and the Wiz's room in the Emerald City. There are good and bad things in this fresh approach to an old, beloved story.

Rating:
Summary: I've been lovin' this movie for the longest time...PERFECT!
Review: I've loved this movie ever since I saw it on Disney about four years ago and I still love it. I love all the songs especially the one the lion sings when he first comes out "...say what you wanta, but, I'm here to stay cus I'm a mean ol' lion..."

Rating:
Summary: In my top 5 favorite films of all times.
Review: I'm a midwestern small-town-white-boy, who's 43 now. I saw it in original release 21 years ago. I was so blown away I stayed in the theater & sat thru it again. It has such a uplifting, spiritual messege, seldom seen now except on Touched by an Angel. A movie that changed my life for the better.