Review of Return to Oz (1985) by Brendan N — 13 Feb 2018

I can see this films appeal, it has ambition and really distances itself from the musical. The storytelling is great but the dark overtones do distract for what is obviously marketed at kids. I find it funny that Disney could never have the success with the world of Oz, that MGM had with the original musical adaption.

This world is primed for an ambitious take on all the books in the franchise. Murch was an inspired choice for the director and I think time has been super kind to this film, if you had viewed this on release you couldn't be held accountable for disliking it.

I really enjoyed the film, it never attempted to copy the original musical film and it flipped all the characters on their heads. Scarecrow looks very creepy as does Jack, the design team clearly had a ball on this one.

12/02/2018.