Legends Of Oz: Dorothy'S Return [DVD]

This is an excellent film with splendid computer animation and a fine musical score. The characters all look very "Ozzy" and the film includes many elements that come from the original books, such as the Queen of the Fieldmice, the China Country and the China Princess. The meeting with the talking trees is a very nice touch, especially when one tree says that Dorothy stole some apples from a relative of theirs. The Jester is a worthy successor to the Wicked Witch of the West, and Marshall Mallow seems to have come right out of the imagination of L. Frank Baum, who wrote the first Oz book in 1900. "Dorothy's Return" is a modern Oz for all generations, with a sweeping story and top entertainment value. I really wish there could be another "Legends of Oz" film someday.

After seeing many negative reviews from "critics" when this film was released in theaters in May of 2014, it was panned as a box office flop. After watching the film on Blu-ray, I have found it to be a colorful, musical, and easy family film, full of well done musical numbers and great voice performances by Lea Michele, Hugh Dancy and Megan Hilty. The song "Even Then", penned by Bryan Adams is the real jewel here and down the road (perhaps of yellow bricks), I would not be surprised if someone covers this song for radio or one of the many voice talent shows on TV. In short, I agree with those other reviewers who found it to be delightful and moving without too much over-hyped publicity. A cult classic in the making.

Oz is truly a wondrous place with wondrous inhabitants. This particular visit was a fun romp. Martin Short is over-the-top as The Jester/Appraiser. Out of the blue and often my 3-year-old daughter will sing the songs (or her approximation of them), especially "when the world turns upside down". I wouldn't mind seeing more of these exploring new characters and locations.