While "Return to Oz" is an interesting curio, it pales in comparison to "The Wizard of Oz." The difference is simple: "Wizard" connected with audiences on an emotional level, and for the most part, "Return" did not. The sequel had more than a fair chance to become a hit; audiences simply rejected it. I can understand that fans of "Return to Oz" want to make a case for the movie, especially in light of its total commercial failure, but trashing "The Wizard of Oz" is no way to begin. Neither is disparaging Judy Garland. Garland's performance as Dorothy will linger in our collective memory long after the world has forgotten Fairuza Balk. That's an irrefutable truth. The best "Return to Oz" can hope for is a small cult following... and, frankly, that's all it deserves.
Review of Return to Oz
