We're off to see the Wizard... the wonderful Wizard Of Oz!
Because because because because because...
This is Movie Night!
Hello and welcome to Movie Night, YouTube's #1 movie review show, I'm your host, Jonathan
Paula.
Tonight... we'll be traveling to the wonderful world of Oz, as we review the unofficial film
trilogy that takes place there.
Beginning of course with the Hollywood original, "The Wizard Of Oz".
This supremely iconic fantasy adventure film produced by MGM during the height of Hollywood's
studio system was released in August of 1939 - eventually grossing nearly $300 million
in adjusted dollars with the aid of several re-releases.
Perhaps more impressively, the Library of Congress named this the most-watched motion
picture in history, thanks largely in part to frequent broadcasts on TV since the 1950's.
"The Wizard Of Oz" is practically un-reviewable...
so stepped in lore, nostalgia, and American culture, reducing it to nothing more than
a fun kids movie is an insult.
Judy Garland stars as young Dorothy Gale: a wayward teen who following a traumatic opening
act where her dastardly neighbor attempts to forcibly euthanize her dog, is swept away
on a violent tornado to the magical land Oz: a brightly colored landscape littered with
talking animals, witches, munchkins, and many other unique features, like a yellow brick
road, sleep-inducing flowers, or the majestic Emerald City itself.
While technicolor films had been around for years, the breathtaking single shot when Dorothy
enters the land of Oz, in bright beautiful color, completely transformed the way audiences
would look at film forever.
Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Bert Lahr, Billie Burke, and Margaret Hamilton
round out the giant cast: the majority of which undergo impressive make-up changes as
well.
As the whimsical and plucky Scarecrow, Bolger was the last surviving principal cast member,
having died over 26 years ago.
When asked if he received TV royalties from the film, he often remarked, "No, just immortality.
I'll settle for that".
From Dorothy's legendry Ruby Slippers that now sit in the Smithsonian Museum, to syncing
the picture to Pink Floyd's "Dark Side Of The Moon", to a ridiculously insulting and
absurd hoax involving a suicide caught on film - this innocent 101 minute film has deeply
permeated into society.
Although much of the dialogue is pretty hammy, and poorly delivered, three of this film's
lines are featured in AFI's Top 100 Movie Quotes, with Judy's famous quip, "Toto, I've
got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore" placing fourth.
The playful characters frequently sing catchy music, with Garland's beautiful rendition
of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" scoring the well-paced advneture one of its two Academy
Awards.
Despite some terribly rigid and formulaic scene progression, the incredible MGM sets
and backdrops are breathtaking, and the visual effects were revolutionary.
The consequences are overtly established early, but with no true sense of time or ticking-clock...
much of the plot is advanced only because the song is over, and its time to skip along
to the next area.
Under some scrutiny, a number of plot holes hurt this picture as well, especially the
more glaring example, involving the Wicked Witch's only weakness being readily stored
inside her own castle.
It's also unfortunate these characters are some of the most memorable in cinema, as none
of them are truly developed beyond very basic stereotypes and plot devices - it is a 74-year-old
children's film though, so it's easy to overlook these faults.
Arguments can be made for "The Great Train Robbery", "Gone With The Wind", "The Godfather",
"Star Wars", or even "Avatar" but, for my money?
"The Wizard Of Oz" is the "Most important film ever made.".
But I'm certainly not saying it's the "best" film ever made.
Lets check out some of your thoughts from the YouTube comments.
The rate-o-matic for "The Wizard Of Oz"... a DOUBLE TEN.
While many acknowledge some of the flaws, and dated visuals: it is difficult not to
recognize this as a truly remarkable, and timeless classic.
We both agreed, this film is simply AMAZING.
And now for new feature!
A weekly poll question to help spark some non-review-related discussions for a change.
Tonight I'd like to know - "Who is your favorite character from 'The Wizard Of Oz' - leave
your response as a comment below.
I honestly didn't know our next picture even existed until several of you asked about it
following last week's episode.
But Movie Night is a dynamic, and audience-involved program, so here's my unplanned bonus review
of "Return To Oz".
An unofficial, and quasi-sequel to the 1939 original, this Walter Murch fantasy adventure
film came out in the summer of 1985, but failed to earn back even half of its 28 million dollar
budget.
Six months after returning from Oz, little Dorothy is a depressed and conflicted child
who is admitted to a mental health institution after repeatedly obsessing over the Land Of
Oz... but when she once again unwittingly returns to that magical realm, she meets a
whole new cast of quirky characters far more inventive, but ultimately less interesting
than their original counterparts.
With the Scarecrow, Lion, and Tin-Man only making cameos here, the new group friends
here include an annoying talking chicken, a wind-up robot, a pumkinhead man, and a sofa
with a deer head on the front.
These colorful characters are perhaps the film's strongest component: all brought to
life with impressive visual effects, that scored this 113-minute film an Oscar nomination.
The vast array of inconsistencies this purported sequel has with the original film are unsettlingly
however: not the least of which being that Dorothy is now played by Fairuza Balk: a much
younger, and creepier actress than Garland's version was.
Primarily featuring unknown voice-acting talent...
most of the performances are rather rudimentary and bland.
With Oz transformed into a hellish, depressing landscape following Dorothy's exit in the
first movie, one character remarks, "If this is Oz, I'd rather take my chances back in
Kansas".
The simplistic plot offers plenty of thrills and excitement, even though our heroine's
quest lacks a goal or deadline: Dorothy sort of just aimlessly wanders around picking up
friends, and avoiding capture.
Far too frightening at times for its target audience of children, this film's darker,
non-musical tone doesn't always feel right.
Similar in style to the superior "Labyrinth" that was released the following year, this
listlessly paced experience is best suited for braver kids in search of a fun, zany,
and bizarre story: one that bears little resemblance to the MGM classic.
Perhaps more enjoyable if I were 20-years younger, and unaware it was even a partial
sequel to a far greater film, this PG-rated movie is not one I'll likely watch again.
"Return To Oz", "Unfaithful presentation, but visually intriguing."
As this was a bonus review, there weren't any audience comments for it, so let's go
right to the rate-o-matic for "Return To Oz"... a FIVE.
This film was all over the place, some of the action sequences and visuals worked well,
but the terrifyingly different and darker adaptation of the story was unwelcome, and
ineffective.
Ultimately, it's too scary for children, and too goofy for adults.
A fun capsule of strange 80's fantasy films -- I thought it was just ALRIGHT.
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Finally, let's discuss "Oz The Great And Powerful".
From acclaimed and accomplished director Sam Raimi comes the latest big-budget IMAX 3D
adventure adapted from classic source material.
Two years ago, Tim Burton gave us the disappointing, but wildly successful "Alice In Wonderland",
and it's easy to see the similarities with this heavily computer-assisted 130-minute
adventure.
A spiritual prequel to L. Frank Baum's novel, and indirectly to the 1939 classic, this PG-13
rated adventure unexpectedly soars when many lesser attempts would have faltered.
The talented and frenzied James Franco stars as the title character, a small-time circus
magician and charlatan who suddenly finds himself whisked away from 1905 Kansas in a
terrible tornado while riding in his hot air balloon.
In a lovely, and immensely effective nod to the original, the movie then transitions from
a drab black-and-white 4:3 frame to a vibrant and breathtaking colorful 2:1 aspect ratio...
aided wonderfully by impeccable use of 3D, and comfortable editing, truly brining the
land of Oz to life like never before.
Since Disney doesn't own any rights to the MGM version, this version doesn't feature
as many familiar elements as fans of the franchise might like.
You won't find any ruby slippers, musical numbers, or talking scarecrows here.
The stunning visuals alone are enough reason to check this movie out, which I predict will
quickly break the one billion dollar mark.
Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz and Michelle Williams all play familiar witches... with one eventually
transforming into the green-skinned, water-fearing menace we all know and love.
When that actress does transform however, it is plainly evident how miscast she was
in the complicated and iconic role.
As Oz's trusted assistant, Zach Braff lends his voice to a flying, talking monkey - in
a role that surprisingly works really well: his jokes are funny, and he never gets too
annoying or stupid - which is why the character's near-disappearance from the picture halfway
through was
an unfortunate development.
Franco excels in the lead role, perfectly balancing the charm of a stage performer with
the regret of a con-man wishing for more, confessing early, "I don't want to be a good
man...
I want to be a great man".
When he's rather spectacularly transported to the world that bears his namesake, it provides
him with an opportunity at redemption.
Few of the other characters, which also includes a beautifully rendered CGI talking China Doll
voiced by Joey King, or veteran Bill Cobbs briefly featured as an old machine-tinkerer,
receive any substantial background.
Although it loses steam a bit during a longer middle portion, the explosive grand finale
is extremely enjoyable, as it conjures up images and memories of that famous scene with
the "man behind the curtain".
Danny Elfman's whimsical score works well right out of the gate, as we're witness to
a clever opening credits sequence in the style of string puppets and cardboard cut-outs.
This PG-rated fantasy has plenty of fun moments for the entire family - delivering a truly
enjoyable experience that is faithful to the tone and wonder-inspiring visuals of the original.
Despite some narrative and pacing missteps, "Oz The Great And Powerful" is "Visually stunning
and wonderfully familiar."
Now lets read some reviews from the Movie Night audience.
"The Great And Powerful Oz" - A DOUBLE EIGHT.
You loved the visuals, but weren't as impressed by Kunis's character, ultimately scoring it
a GREAT.
I thought this was a beautiful, inventive, and faithful adaptation to the essence that
made the original so spectacular and memorable.
Time will tell if this adventure has the same staying power, but it worked really well,
I thought it was GREAT.
Now, let's check out some other movies currently playing in theaters by reading your tweet
critiques.
If you see a new movie in theaters, Tweet your review with the #JPMN hashtag to have
it featured on the show.
Next week we'll be celebrating St. Patrick's Day with some Irish-themed movies.
1992's "Far And Away" with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, the action thriller "The Boondock
Saints" from 1999, and "Gangs Of New York" featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Daniel Day-Leiws.
Let me know what you think about these movies by voting in the polls below, or by leaving
a comment review.
And please subscribe to the Movie Night Archive channel for exclusive trailer commentaries,
and an organized library of all our past reviews.
Once again, my name is Jonathan Paula - thank you for watching Movie Night, I hope to see
you, right back here for the next Friday!