Rating: 
Summary: A Dark Lumbering Freak Show
Review: This film was one of the biggest disapointments in my movie-going life. I had been dreaming of this all black adaptation of Frank L. Braun's classic story of the Wonderful Wizard of OZ since hearing the original broadway cast recording starring Stephanie Mills, way back in 1975. So when it was annouced that the WIZ would be produced with Diana Ross starring as Dorothy, Michael Jackson as the Scarecrow, Nipsy Russell as the Tin Man, Ted Ross as the Cowardly Lion, Lena Horne as the Glenda The Good Witch, and Richard Pryor as the WIZ, I was overjoyed, thinking that with such a great cast and an announced budget of $28,000,000, (which at the time was the most expensive movie musical of all time) it would naturally be a magical movie experience. I couldn't have been more mistaken. This over-blown, dark-nightmare of a film was a complete and total disaster, from those cheap looking opening credits to the abrupt and unsatisfying ending. The original story of young Dorothy Gail, an innocent girl yearning to get out of the projects and on to a better life, was changed (to accomodate Ross' advanced age,) to the sad story of a thirty something elementary school teacher who is so afraid of living that she seeks refuge from the real world with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry. They are so tired of this sad sack mooching off them that sweet old Aunt Em takes the bull by the horns and actually tells her it's time for her to go make a life of her own. Then Toto suddenly runs out of the safety of the apartment into a blinding snow storm with Dorothy chasing close behind, and out of nowhere a tornado made of snow wiskes them both off to the scary land of OZ. From this point the WIZ takes on the feel of a film pieced together with scotch tape. The directing is so erradic and uneven that each segment feels like it was directed by different people. The editing job if you could call it that, is a car wreck, (I actually believe you could re-edit this movie and make a far better film) it jumps and jerks from one shot to another, with no thought given to flow, or pace. The musical numbers are the best thing about the movie but are way to long and dreadfully over-produced. The performances vary from Ross' pitiful Dorothy, who whines her way through this hodgepodge and manages to make you wonder if her performance in "Lady Sings The Blues" was a fluke, to Michael Jackson's equally sad, scarecrow character. In between we find poor Lena Horne's who's role as Glenda was handled exactly the way she was back in the forties and fifties at MGM. She is ushered on-stage for one quick song, and then is seen no more. Richard Pryor is terrible as the WIZ, he is such a loser that he can't even come up with any words of wisdom for this bunch of hapless misfits after being found to be a fraud. Finally, there is no joy or happiness in this movie and those are the two things a fantasy such as this must have to ever get off the ground. From the very beginning the WIZ is a tale of sadness and woe, with characters who are so pitiful, you never get the feeling that there might be a brighter day out there for any of them, just a dark and scary place called OZ.
Rating:
Summary: Not one of my favorite musicals
Review: This movie is an attempt at...something. I'm not sure what. But nice try anyway. I can't even sit through the whole thing, although the cast is very talented and Michael Jackson has some good moments in it. I think the only reason anyone would really benefit from buying this is for nostalgic purposes (reminds you of your childhood, etc). Other than that it's just not very enjoyable to watch.
Rating:
Summary: very average
Review: i'm a big Michael Jackson,Diana Ross&Richard Pryor fan.but this film falls flat.it made me happy with an all African-American cast.but the talents of all the folks involved don't really shine.one great thing came out of this film the Meeting of Quincy Jones&Michael Jackson.
Rating: 
Summary: My All-time Favorite!
Review: I've loved this movie ever since I was a child. I know the entire script and every song in the movie. I think this is a classic remake with style and flare that screams do another re-make just like this. The music is wonderful and makes you wish that you were a part of this project. The dancing is just another seasoning that adds to this "can't get enough of stew." Best of all , who can forget the tremendous cast. I'm an actress and it would be my dream to be part of such a landmark presentation. Get it and watch it with your family, your kids will thank you!
Rating: 
Summary: YOU SIMPLY MUST SEE THIS!
Review: True, I didnt much care for the songs, except for one or two maybe, but the scenes, teh characters and the plot-lines are VERY imaginative, and the entire production has a BRILLIANT twist. Dont go to compare this with the book or the 1939 Wizard of Oz MGM Movie....Just try to enjoy it in its OWN right, and you will.......The cast is all African-American, but that doesnt matter, since the performers are all SUPERB. I totally enjoyed EVERYONE's performance. True, it VERY 'modernized', and ahead of its time, but what does that matter? It onyl makes Oz 'jazzier', even though I prefer the Oz we find in the books and the movie. Still, if your a Wizard of Oz fan, you MUST see this total MASTERPIECE!
Rating:
Summary: It is a great video
Review: This movie is pretty much a remake of the wizard of oz but different cast of people and differnt setting and songs. This movie is really good movie and it has really good actors like Diana Ross, Michal Jackson, Ted Ross, Nipesy Russel. If you haven't seen this movie you got to see it.
Rating:
Summary: An unforgettable "Ease On Down the Road"
Review: I really enjoyed this movie. This soulful adaptation, from "The Wizard of Oz", in my opionion was creative and the music was superb! Kudos to Quincy Jones and the other writers and musicians responsible for developing a great soundtrack. If one was fortunate enough to see the original stage play, you might be disappointed with the direction of the film. Try to separate the two because they are two separate creative works. (Almost like not expecting the movie to be as good as the book.) Overall, all the actors did an excellent job. I especially enjoyed the soulful portrayal of the scarecrow, tinman and lion. Diana Ross did a fair job as Dorothy, though noticeably older than the original character. I especially enjoyed her rendition of "Home". I am certain you will enjoy this movie as much as I did and like me, find yourself singing the songs for days.
Rating:
Summary: A Classic American Film Musical:
Review: This movie is one of the things I loved most about being a child. I spent countless Saturday afternoons watching this movie. It is a wonderful take on the Wizard of OZ with an Urban twist that appealed to a whole new generation of movie goers. It also showcased a wonderful array of African-American talent. The moral of the movie is the same as that of the Wizard of Oz made more poignant set against the back drop of Urban decay. The moral is... you don't have to go far to find what you're looking for. The person that you want to be is inside of you already. I've seen it a million times and I'll see it a million more.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful...when you take out Diana Ross
Review: Don't get me wrong, I love Diana as a singer. But come on, a 34 year old playing Dorothy? And living with her mother when she has a perfectly adequate living? Other than this (And the fact that Ross has an entirely too high voice for this part) the movie shows a good variety of songs, and keeps the original message. Michael Jackson and Nipsy Russell are excellent as the Scarecrow and the Tinman, and the Cowardly Lion steals the show! Better than the original "Wizard of Oz" by a long shot!
Rating: 
Summary: It's bad
Review: Horrible, terrible, boring, tremndomsly bad, bad, bad, these word don't said anything about this movie. It was the worst remake I have ever seen. What is with the taxi cab? The writer should be ashamed of himself.
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