X
- 1985
- PG
- Buena Vista Pictures
- 1 h 53 m
- 1985
- PG
- Buena Vista Pictures
- 1 h 53 m
Summary Dorothy finds herself back in the land of her dreams where she makes delightful new friends like Tik Tok, Jack Pumpkinhead, and the Gum, as well as dangerous new enemies, the creepy Wheelers, the head-hunting Princess Mombi, and the evil Nome King. With every twist in the yellow brick road, Dorothy's struggle to return home becomes more ...
Directed By: Walter Murch
Written By: Gill Dennis, L. Frank Baum, Walter Murch
- 1985
- PG
- Buena Vista Pictures
- 1 h 53 m
- 1985
- PG
- Buena Vista Pictures
- 1 h 53 m
Return to Oz
42
7.6
Summary Dorothy finds herself back in the land of her dreams where she makes delightful new friends like Tik Tok, Jack Pumpkinhead, and the Gum, as well as dangerous new enemies, the creepy Wheelers, the head-hunting Princess Mombi, and the evil Nome King. With every twist in the yellow brick road, Dorothy's struggle to return home becomes more ...
Directed By: Walter Murch
Written By: Gill Dennis, L. Frank Baum, Walter Murch
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 11 Critic Reviews
42
9% Positive
1 Review
1 Review
55% Mixed
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
36% Negative
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 11 Critic Reviews
42
9% Positive
1 Review
1 Review
55% Mixed
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
36% Negative
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
First of all, it has no music. That aside, it doesn't have any wit, joy, or drive. Children who haven't had the pleasure of seeing The Wizard of Oz might enjoy this film, but it will also frighten them. There are some fine, Oscar-nominated special effects, but the excitement just isn't there.
It’s enthralling as well as rambling, you do miss the songs, but there is clearly no place for them here. 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.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 41 User Ratings
7.6
80% Positive
33 Ratings
33 Ratings
12% Mixed
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
7% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 41 User Ratings
7.6
80% Positive
33 Ratings
33 Ratings
12% Mixed
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
7% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
Having read eleven of the fourteen original oz books including the two this movie was based on I found it a perfect and fairly accurate combination of the second and third book in the Oz series. It was never meant to be a sequel to the beloved classic but simply a different adaptation of the next books which happen to be a bit darker. Even the Wizard of Oz book was much darker that the movie. Return to Oz strived more for accuracy.
Report
It's bleak, creepy, and occasionally terrifying. Studio pressure apparently forced Murch to back off from the full fury of his conception, but this is still strong stuff.
Kids probably will enjoy portions of Return to Oz, but at best, it's a mechanical movie that never finds a real heart to engage an audience. [21 Jun 1985, p.79]
The Nome King looks like a moveable Mt. St. Helens and he alone is magical. In fact, he blows Dorothy and her tacky-looking friends off the screen. So we end up liking the Nome King and hating Dorothy and her crowd, which I doubt was the intention of the L. Frank Baum series. [21 Jun 1985, p.1]
The Disney people have taken such obvious care in making Return to Oz that it's a shame it didn't turn out better. It has its moments - mostly visual - but when it isn't a grim downer, it's largely inert. [21 Jun 1985, p.21]
Dorothy encounters a pumpkin with stick limbs, a tin soldier and something called a Gump, which looks suspiciously like your basic moosehead. They are all mechanical marvels, not actors, which means they can do anything except win an audience's heart. Still, it would defy the gifts of an Olivier to find interesting, amusing life in a context as charmless and joyless (and songless) as the one Murch and his design team have concocted. [1 July 1985, p.63]
A wonderful imaginative movie! Amazing special effects for the time, lovable side characters and a lovely soundtrack. Do not try to compare it to the musical. It is its own unique creation. Anyone who thinks that it is too scary for children is not giving them (the children) enough credit. My favorite movie when I was three and still one of my favorite movies today.
Report
Too dark compared to earlier Oz movies, but okay for Halloween. Not as good as Alice in Wonderland or The Neverending Story.
Report
Awful sequel to The Wizard Of Oz that was purely an exercise in making money. It is one of the most disappointing sequels to an amazing movie that didn’t even try to wow you. It’s among other crap sequels like Terminator 3, Big Top Pee Wee and Tomorrow Never Dies in the club of worst sequels to amazing movies.
Report
this movie has no storyline very scary for younger kids boring as!!! it shames the original! i love disney but they must have been drunk and made this by mistake!!
Report
Production Company
Walt Disney Pictures,
Silver Screen Partners II,
BMI (No. 9) Ltd.,
Oz Productions Ltd.,
Walt Disney Productions
Release Date Jun 21, 1985
Duration 1 h 53 m
Rating PG
Tagline An all-new adventure down the yellow brick road.
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 1 Nomination
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA
• 3 Nominations
Young Artist Awards
• 2 Nominations
