6 reviews
I doubted this film would be great, but my best case scenario was that it would at least be fun in a cheesy way. Even by those standards, I was let down. Maybe part of the problem is that I saw it on the big screen when it really feels like a direct to video movie. On the other hand, I don't think I could have asked for a better viewing experience, so I have to face the fact that the main problem is that it was just not very good.
Things like "Wicked" and "Tin Man" have shown that there can be decent alternate takes on Oz, but this was not one of them, sadly. I think the filmmakers' hearts were in the right place, but this low-budget attempt at creating something with the look of a big-budget blockbuster ended up being kind of a cringe-inducing mess.
I got a sinking feeling within the first moments as we're introduced to a CGI version of Oz that looks poor even compared to modern video games. But I don't watch independent movies for spectacle; I watch them for story and characters, and unfortunately, I found neither to be terribly engaging here. I might have cared about the plot if the movie had spent more time establishing the characters and their relationship to each other, but this presents something of a Catch-22: adding such scenes would have presumably made the movie longer and it already felt overly long. They must have padded it out beyond all reason in order to accommodate the miniseries format.
I've seen complaints about wooden acting in this film. Any deficiencies there I am willing to at least partially blame on the directing and/or script. Even most of the name actors turn in rather unremarkable performances- the big exception being Mia Sara's manic Princess Langwidere. Among the lesser-known players, I thought Eliza Swenson was the most memorable as the manipulative literary agent.
This is a movie I really wanted to like, so I wish I had more positive things to say about it. There are a couple nods to the MGM musical and a few more to the original Oz books, but I don't see this satisfying fans of either. Honestly, I would have a difficult time recommending "Dorothy and the Witches of Oz" to anyone. And I'm the sort of person who can often find redeeming qualities in movies that others might dismiss as simply terrible.
I'm somewhat shocked that a sequel is supposedly in the works. Call me a hopeless optimist or just morbidly curious, but if that actually gets made, I'll most likely end up watching it as well, hoping that it might be better than this movie, which it would almost have to be.
Things like "Wicked" and "Tin Man" have shown that there can be decent alternate takes on Oz, but this was not one of them, sadly. I think the filmmakers' hearts were in the right place, but this low-budget attempt at creating something with the look of a big-budget blockbuster ended up being kind of a cringe-inducing mess.
I got a sinking feeling within the first moments as we're introduced to a CGI version of Oz that looks poor even compared to modern video games. But I don't watch independent movies for spectacle; I watch them for story and characters, and unfortunately, I found neither to be terribly engaging here. I might have cared about the plot if the movie had spent more time establishing the characters and their relationship to each other, but this presents something of a Catch-22: adding such scenes would have presumably made the movie longer and it already felt overly long. They must have padded it out beyond all reason in order to accommodate the miniseries format.
I've seen complaints about wooden acting in this film. Any deficiencies there I am willing to at least partially blame on the directing and/or script. Even most of the name actors turn in rather unremarkable performances- the big exception being Mia Sara's manic Princess Langwidere. Among the lesser-known players, I thought Eliza Swenson was the most memorable as the manipulative literary agent.
This is a movie I really wanted to like, so I wish I had more positive things to say about it. There are a couple nods to the MGM musical and a few more to the original Oz books, but I don't see this satisfying fans of either. Honestly, I would have a difficult time recommending "Dorothy and the Witches of Oz" to anyone. And I'm the sort of person who can often find redeeming qualities in movies that others might dismiss as simply terrible.
I'm somewhat shocked that a sequel is supposedly in the works. Call me a hopeless optimist or just morbidly curious, but if that actually gets made, I'll most likely end up watching it as well, hoping that it might be better than this movie, which it would almost have to be.
- rocketXpert
- Aug 17, 2012
- Permalink
I was curious about this movie because it has very few reviews and ratings and an abysmal score of 4,6. When at the beginning of the month I had finally the chance of watching it I really expected garbage, but I was wrong! In fact, while not excellent, it was sometimes funny and with some moments that made me chuckle here and there.
Dorothy Gale is now an adult and works as a children's book writer and has moved to New York City. One day Dorothy discovers that her books are about repressed childhood memories and when one day the Wicked Witch of the West arrives in Times Square, Dorothy will do her best for stopping her with also some help from the Wizard (Christopher Lloyd).
At a staggering 2 hours and 40 minutes runtime it may look like an impossible to finish movie, yet it was somehow entertaining even tho it could have benefited some trimming. I really liked the battle scene towards the end and also the sets and CGI, they looked so real. Not a really bad sequel to THE WIZARD OF OZ but still an ok movie on its own.
Dorothy Gale is now an adult and works as a children's book writer and has moved to New York City. One day Dorothy discovers that her books are about repressed childhood memories and when one day the Wicked Witch of the West arrives in Times Square, Dorothy will do her best for stopping her with also some help from the Wizard (Christopher Lloyd).
At a staggering 2 hours and 40 minutes runtime it may look like an impossible to finish movie, yet it was somehow entertaining even tho it could have benefited some trimming. I really liked the battle scene towards the end and also the sets and CGI, they looked so real. Not a really bad sequel to THE WIZARD OF OZ but still an ok movie on its own.
- bellino-angelo2014
- Nov 28, 2021
- Permalink
- neonboy619
- May 4, 2012
- Permalink
When I found out about this movie I was only going to see it because the wrestler Al Snow was in it as the Gnome King. I was extremely happy that the movie was phenomenal! My friend and I were lucky to have been able to meet Eliza Swenson and Barry Ratcliffe as well as the director Lee Scott. This movie is completely different and better than Wizard of Oz. There are surprises you don't see coming and it has such a great cast. In the end my friend and I were rooting for the wicked witch of the west because of how awesome! This is a must see and must own for any Oz fan. There is a great cast and the special effects are memorizing. This movie proves you don't need a major studio behind you to make an amazing movie!
- chaingangsoldier23
- Apr 14, 2012
- Permalink
Great movie. I loved it. Definitely better than the sequel that was released in the 80's. I watched it over and over again. Quite a lot of talent in this movie Amazing. Brionne Davis was especially magnetic. It was wonderful. This movie tells the story of Dorthy as a grown up and the point of view is a great one. It also deals with her repressed memories. I found this an interesting angle for the movie and felt the writers and actors did an astounding job of keeping the movie flowing smoothly throughout. It was suspenseful and kept me interested the entire time. In a world where there are so many mundane movies that offer little to your mind or heart this was quite a feat and it is incredible.
Not sure why so much hate for an excellent film with a unique and entertaining way of filming it. The story is not your run of the mill wizard of oz but darker and obviously centered on witches. Thec3d bluray is a must own and an excellent cast as well. Watch it but keep in mind not your wizard of oz formula type film.