7.2 | / 10 |
Users | 3.2 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.2 |
Dorothy (Fairuza Balk) is back at home in Kansas after her first escapade in the land of Oz and unable to convince anyone that her adventures truly happened. Concerned, Auntie Em (Piper Laurie) takes Dorothy to the doctor, who plans to treat her with shock therapy. While trying to escape the therapy, Dorothy and her now talking pet chicken, Billina, are propelled by a lightning storm back to Oz. But things are not as she left them. The Emerald City is under the rule of the evil Princess Mombi and the fiendish Nome King. The yellow brick road is broken, the City is a dirty slum and her friends, the Cowardly Lion and Tin Man have been turned to stone. It is up to Dorothy and her new friends Tik Tok, a helpful robot, Jack, who has a pumpkin head, and Gump to save Oz.
Starring: Fairuza Balk, Nicol Williamson, Jean Marsh, Piper Laurie, Matt ClarkFamily | 100% |
Fantasy | Insignificant |
Adventure | Insignificant |
Mystery | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 0.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Somewhere over the rainbow, there’s a little girl awaiting shock treatment.
The fantasyland of Oz, as brought to world by author L. Frank Baum, is many things. But to most audiences, Oz is only one thing: a 1939 classic film starring Judy Garland. Attempting to recapture the magic of “The Wizard of Oz,” many sequels and knockoffs have failed to achieve the same level of wonder, whimsy, and song. 1985’s “Return to Oz” offers a teasing title that hints at a revival of Technicolor awe, but it’s a very different picture, taking a creative route that doesn’t welcome musical numbers and one-liners. It’s a stark, grim adventure that boldly returns to Baum for inspiration while trying to remain as far away from “The Wizard of Oz” as possible. Although certain elements of the feature miss their mark, “Return to Oz” is ambitious, daring, and delivers incredible technical achievements, offsetting initial disappointment and confusion by generating its own mood and dramatic objectives. Instead of amazement, it’s foreboding and periodically scary, subverting expectations in the best possible way.
The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation gives "Return to Oz" a competent upgrade to HD, delivering a predominately sharp and clear viewing experience. The film's color palette is already on the muted side, trying to express the new Oz world through a dialing down of vibrant primaries. Mood is preserved, with intended hues registering acceptably, boosted slightly with Mombi encounters, finding the witch's costumes flavorful and her palace highly decorated. Skintones are accurate, with more extreme creatures also stable. Detail is satisfactory, surveying fantasy touches with clarity allowed by softer cinematography, and textures are encouraging on fabrics and exteriors. Delineation is never threatened. Grain is present but not defined in full, but the viewing experience is filmic. Source is clean and secure.
The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix isn't an event that utilizes surrounds to the fullest, remaining surprisingly calm with sound effects and onscreen action, which rarely envelops the listener. It's a frontal track, and dialogue exchanges are fresh and true, handling performances with care, while dramatic range is protected. Nome King encounters are more monstrous, with a deep electronic sound that carries power. Low-end is nicely active with thunderstorms and creature movement. Scoring is bright and supportive, with communicative instrumentation. Atmospherics are busy, with Oz environments pronounced and flying sequences conveying movement.
There is no supplementary material on this disc.
Dorothy and her army eventually face the Nome King, a bellowing monster who delights in games and claims emerald ownership. It's a furious conclusion to an already menacing movie, but it does leave a question mark that the production conveniently ignores. While faced with threat from all sides, why would Dorothy even want to leave Oz and return home? The 1939 picture made a reasonable case for the preciousness of family. "Return to Oz" depicts Aunt Em and Uncle Henry as desperate souls turning to quackery to solve a profound problem. If I were Dorothy, I'd stay with friends who love her and a land that's grateful for her heroism. Of course, the story needs to return to Earth, but "Return to Oz" is missing a sense of warmth and belonging. Its creative endeavors are beguiling and wholly impressive, but the feature is undeniably cold to the touch.
30th Anniversary Edition | US Version
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Limited Edition Collector's Set
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20th Anniversary Edition | Mastered in 4K
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Lenticular Faceplate
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