Along with "Hook" (1991) this has got to be the best continuation / sequelesque adaptation of a classic fairy tale for kids . (although this one is slightly better than Hook because it has a more reliable plot and a tighter pace) . There are no words to describe how well constructed this movie is . Every part of it really shines . From the imaginative direction to the impressive sets and costumes and from the professionally constructed script and dialogue to the effectively subtle performances from all the actors (live and animatronic) .
I will have to tell you that I am fanatically against the screenplay changes film-makers usually conduct to a story / novel / myth / comic book / TV show when they turn it into a movie . They omit important plot elements , they mistreat important characters by underusing them , they often fail to shoot chilling scenes from the book (et al) due to lame direction and untalented SFX crew members hence not doing them justice (like the freezing super power of Sub-Zero in "Mortal Kombat") and generally they bastardize crucial thematic parts because of many changes in the atmosphere of the original . The "Return to Oz" script mixes elements from 2 books by L. Frank Baum and puts them in the blender with multiple variations and vital declinations from their roots . God forgive me but it is probably the best bastardization I have ever witnessed . If these words are coming out of my mouth then it is definitely a very successful film . I will brief you a little (slight spoilers coming) : characters from the first book which is the direct continuation of Dorothy 's adventures where Dorothy manages to find the ruby slippers and returns to see her friends , are Jack the pumpkinhead , the reindeer-headed flying sofa and Mombie the witch (and NOT an aristocratic princess) . Jack and the reindeer were precisely the same as in the movie , animated by the powder of life . (there was also a cute wooden pony which was probably omitted because it was a silent role) . Mombie however was a rather old grey haired wannabe witch who resembled remarkably Mim ! ( for the uninitiated Mim is Magica De Spell 's partner in the crusade of stealing the lucky dime of uncle Scrooge) . Ozma was indeed Mombie 's prisoner although she thought she was a boy in a young Jodie Foster way with dirty clothes under the name Chip ! The second book introduces us to Tic Toc who managed to drag Dorothy into the land of Oz once again . Tic Toc was indeed a golden metal robot but a bit shorter and quite thinner so he wasn 't as macho as in the film . He had more childish voice and manners , something like a juvenile version of C3PO from Star Wars . The greatest change was of course the Gnome King . Although his kingdom was under the ground of a desert he was not the ruler of stones but the king of Dwarfs (he was a nasty little Oumba Looba-like himself) . Nevertheless he had a powerful army and weapons and he tried to take over Oz. The Dwarves ' only weakness was the eggs . Oh , and Bileena was not Dorothy 's chicken but a native habitant chicken in Oz . The rescue mission was not for the Schiactro but for an unrelated prince (the Prince of Eb under the request of his beloved Princess) . Also the jewelry museum was true with the difference that the contestants had only one chance (not 3). The rest of the plot 's surprises such as the wheelers & the decapitated dancers were completely the brainchildren of Walter Murch and Gill Dennis.
All in all the combination of these thematic factors was wonderful . I believe that this slightly tense adaptation is a much more successful depiction of Frank Baum 's vision of the Land of Oz . Enchanting and beautiful for the eye but with hidden dangers lurking around . Who can forget the beginning sequence where Dorothy finds Oz literally wrecked ? Everybody has been transformed into a stone statue and the roads and buildings are torn apart . The direction is flawless in giving us this absolutely successful threatening but interestingly suspenseful scene . I really cannot realize why so many libels like "much dark" "too scary" etc. This has exactly the same level of violence with classic Disney cartoons where the evil step mother curses Snow White with diabolical spells in the middle of storm with frightening thunders or where Sleeping Beauty 's charming prince struggles to save her by fighting her wicked witch godmother who is transformed into a giant dragon who spits up disastrous and dreadful fireballs . A much more twisted and snicky kids film is " Willy Wonka " , especially the boat scene .
Anyway I don 't think Mombie 's heads or the giggling deranged wheelers can be frightening . They are graphic figures like the wicked witch of the West or the gremlins . As a matter of fact how hasn 't anyone found unsuitable and politically uncorrect the reoccurring quote of the Queen of hearts " Off with his / her / their head ! " in Alice in Wonderland (which keep in mind that was written by a priest) . Not only Return to Oz is the near perfect follow-up to a well known legend , but it is also one of the best fairy tale adaptations cinema industry has ever given us . Adequate SFX (like the petrified Emerald city or the flying sofa or the earthquake scene) , impressive sets (Mombie 's palace or the desert) and of course the unforgettable jewels museum (I have seen the film several times but this scene always thrills me) . As a stand alone fairy tale it is also great . Two scenes at the end standout as perfect examples *******Spoiler alert******** The celebration scene at the palace and the mirror-through communication between Dorothy and Ozma******** On top of that the glossy ruby slippers are still enchanting . What else can be said ? Mere cameos from the Tin man and the coward lion for the fans of the old cast combine with fine direction and script for a spectacular show . If only *****spoiler**** they didn 't spoil it with the doubts that it was all a dream ****** A classic masterpiece
RETURN TO OZ 9.5 / 10
I will have to tell you that I am fanatically against the screenplay changes film-makers usually conduct to a story / novel / myth / comic book / TV show when they turn it into a movie . They omit important plot elements , they mistreat important characters by underusing them , they often fail to shoot chilling scenes from the book (et al) due to lame direction and untalented SFX crew members hence not doing them justice (like the freezing super power of Sub-Zero in "Mortal Kombat") and generally they bastardize crucial thematic parts because of many changes in the atmosphere of the original . The "Return to Oz" script mixes elements from 2 books by L. Frank Baum and puts them in the blender with multiple variations and vital declinations from their roots . God forgive me but it is probably the best bastardization I have ever witnessed . If these words are coming out of my mouth then it is definitely a very successful film . I will brief you a little (slight spoilers coming) : characters from the first book which is the direct continuation of Dorothy 's adventures where Dorothy manages to find the ruby slippers and returns to see her friends , are Jack the pumpkinhead , the reindeer-headed flying sofa and Mombie the witch (and NOT an aristocratic princess) . Jack and the reindeer were precisely the same as in the movie , animated by the powder of life . (there was also a cute wooden pony which was probably omitted because it was a silent role) . Mombie however was a rather old grey haired wannabe witch who resembled remarkably Mim ! ( for the uninitiated Mim is Magica De Spell 's partner in the crusade of stealing the lucky dime of uncle Scrooge) . Ozma was indeed Mombie 's prisoner although she thought she was a boy in a young Jodie Foster way with dirty clothes under the name Chip ! The second book introduces us to Tic Toc who managed to drag Dorothy into the land of Oz once again . Tic Toc was indeed a golden metal robot but a bit shorter and quite thinner so he wasn 't as macho as in the film . He had more childish voice and manners , something like a juvenile version of C3PO from Star Wars . The greatest change was of course the Gnome King . Although his kingdom was under the ground of a desert he was not the ruler of stones but the king of Dwarfs (he was a nasty little Oumba Looba-like himself) . Nevertheless he had a powerful army and weapons and he tried to take over Oz. The Dwarves ' only weakness was the eggs . Oh , and Bileena was not Dorothy 's chicken but a native habitant chicken in Oz . The rescue mission was not for the Schiactro but for an unrelated prince (the Prince of Eb under the request of his beloved Princess) . Also the jewelry museum was true with the difference that the contestants had only one chance (not 3). The rest of the plot 's surprises such as the wheelers & the decapitated dancers were completely the brainchildren of Walter Murch and Gill Dennis.
All in all the combination of these thematic factors was wonderful . I believe that this slightly tense adaptation is a much more successful depiction of Frank Baum 's vision of the Land of Oz . Enchanting and beautiful for the eye but with hidden dangers lurking around . Who can forget the beginning sequence where Dorothy finds Oz literally wrecked ? Everybody has been transformed into a stone statue and the roads and buildings are torn apart . The direction is flawless in giving us this absolutely successful threatening but interestingly suspenseful scene . I really cannot realize why so many libels like "much dark" "too scary" etc. This has exactly the same level of violence with classic Disney cartoons where the evil step mother curses Snow White with diabolical spells in the middle of storm with frightening thunders or where Sleeping Beauty 's charming prince struggles to save her by fighting her wicked witch godmother who is transformed into a giant dragon who spits up disastrous and dreadful fireballs . A much more twisted and snicky kids film is " Willy Wonka " , especially the boat scene .
Anyway I don 't think Mombie 's heads or the giggling deranged wheelers can be frightening . They are graphic figures like the wicked witch of the West or the gremlins . As a matter of fact how hasn 't anyone found unsuitable and politically uncorrect the reoccurring quote of the Queen of hearts " Off with his / her / their head ! " in Alice in Wonderland (which keep in mind that was written by a priest) . Not only Return to Oz is the near perfect follow-up to a well known legend , but it is also one of the best fairy tale adaptations cinema industry has ever given us . Adequate SFX (like the petrified Emerald city or the flying sofa or the earthquake scene) , impressive sets (Mombie 's palace or the desert) and of course the unforgettable jewels museum (I have seen the film several times but this scene always thrills me) . As a stand alone fairy tale it is also great . Two scenes at the end standout as perfect examples *******Spoiler alert******** The celebration scene at the palace and the mirror-through communication between Dorothy and Ozma******** On top of that the glossy ruby slippers are still enchanting . What else can be said ? Mere cameos from the Tin man and the coward lion for the fans of the old cast combine with fine direction and script for a spectacular show . If only *****spoiler**** they didn 't spoil it with the doubts that it was all a dream ****** A classic masterpiece
RETURN TO OZ 9.5 / 10