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Movies / On DVD / Return to Oz
Return to Oz

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Return to Oz (1985)

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Reviews Counted:20

Fresh:11

Rotten:9

Average Rating:5.7/10

Runtime: 2 hrs

Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy

Synopsis: A dark return visit to L. Frank Baum's astonishing world of Oz. After clicking her red shoes together and finally returning to Kansas, Dorothy finds that, in fact, there is someplace better than... A dark return visit to L. Frank Baum's astonishing world of Oz. After clicking her red shoes together and finally returning to Kansas, Dorothy finds that, in fact, there is someplace better than home -- especially when her family concludes that any girl who keeps insisting that she's visited a magical kingdom isn't right in the head. So young Dorothy journeys back into the magical realm of Oz, only to find a crumbling yellowbrick road and the Emerald City in an advanced state of decay. [More]

Starring: Fairuza Balk, Nicol Williamson, Jean Marsh, Piper Laurie

Starring: Fairuza Balk, Nicol Williamson, Jean Marsh, Piper Laurie, Matt Clark

Director: Walter Murch

Director: Walter Murch
Producer: Paul Maslansky
Composer: David Shire

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Feb 3, 2004

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Return To Oz
  • If you loved THE WIZARD OF OZ, you'll love accompanying Dorothy on this second thrilling adventure based on L. Frank Baum's "Oz" books! Dorothy finds herself back in the land of her dreams ... and makes delightful new friends (like Tik Tok, Jack Pumpkinhead, and the Gump) ... and dangerous new enemies (the creepy Wheelers, the head-hunting Princess Mombi, and the evil Nome King). With every twist in the yellow brick road, you'll find awesome new surprises and special effects that will astound you!
  • Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for Return to Oz

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    1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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    N/R

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    Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
    03/26/09
    Variety
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Any movie in which a Midwestern prairie actually looks more attractive and more interesting than the enchanted land over the rainbow is in big trouble.

    Full Review Source: TIME Magazine | comment Comment
    03/09/09
    Richard Schickel
    Richard Schickel
    TIME Magazine
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Best to see them as individual films with nothing in common apart from source material, one a classic, the other a strong enough picaresque amongst some decent fabulation.

    Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
    12/12/07
    Ian Nathan
    Ian Nathan
    Empire Magazine

    It's bleak, creepy, and occasionally terrifying.

    Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
    12/12/07
    Dave Kehr
    Dave Kehr
    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    There are some fine, Oscar-nominated special effects, but the excitement just isn't there.

    Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
    12/12/07
    TV Guide's Movie Guide
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Despite the presence of Billina the talking hen, the emphasis on insecurity and peril harks back to the treat-'em-rough days of children's fiction, and the disturbing/comforting ratio tilts conclusively towards the former.

    Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
    06/24/06
    Time Out
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    A forgotten classic.

    comment Comment
    09/22/05
    Kevin Carr
    Kevin Carr
    7M Pictures

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    07/05/05
    Emanuel Levy
    Emanuel Levy
    EmanuelLevy.Com

    I can see why the Judy Garland fans might not appreciate this weird little adaptation, but it's actually pretty good!

    comment Comment
    04/03/05
    Scott Weinberg
    Scott Weinberg
    eFilmCritic.com

    Director Walter Murch tries to infuse the story with the inventiveness and adventure of the Star Wars saga, but the results are disappointing.

    Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
    08/21/04
    Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
    Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
    Spirituality and Practice

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    05/08/04
    Ryan Cracknell
    Ryan Cracknell
    Movie Views

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    04/18/04
    Daniel M. Kimmel
    Daniel M. Kimmel
    Worcester Telegram & Gazette

    Faithfully brings the Oz books to life. A classic.

    comment Comment
    08/12/03
    Alex Sandell
    Alex Sandell
    Juicy Cerebellum

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    05/27/03
    Walter Chaw
    Walter Chaw
    Film Freak Central

    The work of ingenious technicians who seem either not to know what gave the original film its magic, or not to care.

    Full Review Source: New York Times | comment 1 Comment
    05/20/03
    Janet Maslin
    Janet Maslin
    New York Times
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Return to Oz is hardly as kid-friendly as The Wizard of Oz, but older children with a taste for the fantastic will find it interesting. Adult Oz fans will find it entertaining as well.

    Full Review Source: Netflix | comment Comment
    11/07/02
    James Rocchi
    James Rocchi
    Netflix

    Should've stuck to that yellow brick road

    comment Comment
    09/17/02
    Clint Morris
    Clint Morris
    Moviehole

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    08/26/02
    Mark Palermo
    Mark Palermo
    Coast (Halifax, Nova Scotia)

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    08/01/02
    Bob Grimm
    Bob Grimm
    Las Vegas Mercury

    An underrated little romp, surprisingly faithful to L. Frank Baum's atmosphere... though obviously it's all overshadowed by that other Oz flick.

    comment Comment
    07/26/02
    Rob Vaux
    Rob Vaux
    Flipside Movie Emporium
     
     
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    Latest News for Return to Oz

    December 12, 2007: Walter Murch on Youth Without Youth: The RT Interview (With Exclusive Photos and Clips!)
    This week, Francis Ford Coppola's Youth Without Youth hits theaters in limited release. The tale of a writer who becomes young again after being struck by lightning is a... More...

    August 22, 2007: Todd McFarlane, New Wizard of Oz
    According to Variety, Todd McFarlane (creator of Spawn) will be working with screenwriter Josh Olson (A History of Violence) to produce what's being called "a revisionist take"... More...

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