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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

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Mar., 26 2009 03:18 AM

    Variety

    splat

    Richard Schickel

    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: | comment Comment | Mar., 09 2009 10:05 AM

    TIME Magazine

    tomato
    3/5

    Ian Nathan

    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: | comment Comment | Dec., 12 2007 01:58 PM

    Empire Magazine

    tomato

    Dave Kehr

    It's bleak, creepy, and occasionally terrifying.

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 12 2007 01:57 PM

    Chicago Reader

    splat
    2.5/4

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

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 12 2007 01:55 PM

    TV Guide's Movie Guide

    splat

    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: | comment Comment | Jun., 24 2006 04:24 AM

    Time Out

    tomato
    4/5

    Kevin Carr

    A forgotten classic.

    comment Comment | Sep., 22 2005 09:07 AM

    7M Pictures

    splat
    2/5

    Emanuel Levy

    No review available.

    comment Comment | Jul., 05 2005 09:12 AM

    EmanuelLevy.Com

    tomato
    3/5

    Scott Weinberg

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

    comment Comment | Apr., 03 2005 04:42 AM

    eFilmCritic.com

    splat
    1/5

    Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

    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: | comment Comment | Aug., 21 2004 08:12 AM

    Spirituality and Practice

    tomato
    3/5

    Ryan Cracknell

    No review available.

    comment Comment | May., 08 2004 08:51 PM

    Movie Views

    splat
    2/5

    Daniel M. Kimmel

    No review available.

    comment Comment | Apr., 18 2004 04:46 PM

    Worcester Telegram & Gazette

    tomato
    5/5

    Alex Sandell

    Faithfully brings the Oz books to life. A classic.

    comment Comment | Aug., 12 2003 11:01 PM

    Juicy Cerebellum

    tomato
    4/5

    Walter Chaw

    No review available.

    comment Comment | May., 27 2003 01:20 PM

    Film Freak Central

    splat
    2/5

    Janet Maslin

    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: | comment 1 Comment | May., 20 2003 05:00 PM

    New York Times

    tomato
    3.5/5

    James Rocchi

    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: | comment Comment | Nov., 07 2002 01:22 PM

    Netflix

    splat
    2/5

    Clint Morris

    Should've stuck to that yellow brick road

    comment Comment | Sep., 17 2002 09:47 PM

    Moviehole

    tomato
    4/5

    Mark Palermo

    No review available.

    comment Comment | Aug., 26 2002 08:20 PM

    Coast (Halifax, Nova Scotia)

    splat
    2/5

    Bob Grimm

    No review available.

    comment Comment | Aug., 01 2002 03:48 PM

    Las Vegas Mercury

    tomato
    3/5

    Rob Vaux

    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 | Jul., 26 2002 07:21 PM

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    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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