Return to Oz starts off with Dorothy being depressed, and her aunt sending her to a quack psychiatrist who plans to use her for a test subject for his new electro-shock therapy... And the dark, grimness of the story spirals down from there... This movie was so unbelievable (and dark) that I can honestly say it shocked and moved me more than Wizard of Oz did (and I will go as far as to say that Fairuza Balk was a better Dorothy to boot). The movie is loosely based off of two of Baum's continuing Oz stories, The Marvelous Land of Oz and Ozma of Oz and contains a complete new cast of characters, although the Tin Woodsman and Scarecrow show up for the finale. Anyway, the story deals with an evil Nome King who resembles the rock eating fella from Neverending Story II, a witch named Nombi and freakish, almost hallucinogenic baddies named Wheelers, since they "walk" around on long stilt-length lens connected to wheels... There's people turned to stone, talking chickens (well, one), deadly deserts and cinematography that is still really great! Although probably not suited for the young children (who might prefer happy singing and dancing), this movie is a great realization of Baum's stories, and a great movie altogether!!
Review of Return to Oz
