Review of The Wiz (1978) by Danielle M — 03 Jul 2009

So... I rewatched this as a little look back at the MJ I used to love. It had been YEARS since I'd seen it... I may have been in jr. high? Anyway... I remembered that I didn't like it... but I couldn't remember too much about it. I kind of like the Broadway musical... and there are at least 3 songs from the soundtrack that I really love... but MAN... this film is BAD. Wth the people behind it and in it... I just don't see how it went so wrong?! It's one creepy acid trip of a visual... very weird... and not in a good way. Elements are brilliant... like the costumes of the scarecrow, lion, and tiinman... and just the overall idea of the new urban setting for the original Baum story.... but the movie is just not good. They ad a ton of extra music... that's sucks and is not needed. The visuals and production numbers are just plain odd... The plot drags. The make a ton out of moments that should go by quickly, and then spend no time on some of the more important moments. By looking at it... this movie must have cost a pretty penny to make. It's bad enough, that I'd really like to see someone try it again. This could have/should have been a fun film.

All in all, however, Michael IS a fabulous scarecrow. His singing and dancing is total fun. Too bad the rest of it wasn't more fun and less creepy.