Review of Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return (2014) by 76Yroldgrandma — 14 May 2014

Ok! First, the Wizard of Oz book by Frank Baum & Julie Garland in the Wizard of Oz film is classic & timeless ~ one that's watched time & again by each generation. The Legends of Oz animated musical film is delightful and charming. It remains to be seen how the kids will react & whether the film stands the test of time. I say that because we [the writer and several of her grand-mother or older gal friends] attended an afternoon show & there were No children watching the film -only about 1 dozen attendees. The gals & I LOVED the animation & melodious musicality of the movie! It will catch on & there should be lots of children seeing it this weekend.

The music by Bryan Adams, songwriter/composer, pinned for the film is Great -- I think the kids will particularly like the song & animation of the Happy song, "Work with Me!" & of course, the journey through Candyland will be loved by the kids.

The animation process & effects for the characters of Oz (i.e., Tin Man, monkeys) are amazing. I enjoyed listening to the talented singing voice of Lea Michele's & she really got into the role of Dorothy's character.

This grownup Loved/enjoyed the wonderful stellar, talented voices of Megan Hilty & Hugh Dancy, both in their solo performances & as the 'China Princess & Marshall Mallow' singing their Beautiful duet song, 'Even Then'.~ sigh :-).

Martin Short really shines as the Jester don't you think; & kudos go to the costume designing for the Jester -- Patrick Stewart is also great & appealing to the little ones as Tugg the Tugboat!

The gals thought the movie was very 'cute' & well suited for young children to see -- lots of laughs & chuckles made in the journey through candyland -- all of them will tell their kids to take their grandchildren to see it.

Personally (& at my suggestion) we All agreed, over cups of Hot Tea, to give it an A+ on being a positive role model with high marks in educational values to be discussed w/the kids. Some of the values we talked about were: 1) the good Vs evil; the "work with me" attitude in helping one another, 2) a reiteration of helping those in need of a brain(education); of courage, & heart (scarecrow/lion/tin man) & 3) it connects the dots to people in Dorothy's Kansas; e.g., the Jester & the appraiser abusing governmental powers, et al.

One reservation perhaps could be for parents to be cautious about their young 3 to 4 YOs seeing the film ~ the mean flying monkeys battle in 3D might be too scary for them.

Although the Top Box Office attendance stats were not as great as other films at this point (about $3.7M), I do think it will do Very Well, especially in DVD sales for home viewing.

TOYS: I think the Jester, Toto, Tin Man & Marshall Mallow plush toys will do well; & I believe the Hotest item will be the fashion Singing Dorothy Doll w/cute cowboy boots, et al- especially since she sings the Happy song "Work with Me" from the movie.