The Wizard of Oz is considered a great movie by many and it is easy to see why. A lot of people probably saw it when they were young and nostalgia plays a big part in that appreciation. Then there are the classic and catchy songs like “Over the rainbow” and “You’re off to see the wizard”. The use of Technicolor makes everything pop from the screen and the story itself, about a girl ending up in the world of Oz, together with her dog Toto and travelling together with a robot, a lion and a scarecrow to help each of them out.
It’s easy to see why this movie is so widely loved and when I saw it a couple of years ago I really liked it as well. But when I rewatched it right after I saw the Oz the Great I just didn’t seem to enjoy it as much anymore.
And it is easy to see why I was not as impressed by it anymore, it is basically because it looks dated. My eyes were treated to a (although it was CGI) an amazingly beautiful world in Oz the Great, when visiting Oz in this version it just did not have the same magic. Of course it is a product of its time, but looking at it now it all looks extremely fake. In every scene it is extremely clear you are looking at a set, you can see where the set ends and the background painting begin and it started to distract me. Things which are supposed to be a bit scary (it is a children’s movie after all), suddenly were laughable. For example the crows with the red lightbulbs for eyes, I would assume no child would find them scary anymore. Because of things like this I kind of had the feeling I was watching a very expensive stage play. It was as if I could now see the wizard behind the curtain trying to trick me.
Don’t get me wrong though (just look at the score), I do think it is a movie worth seeing for the reasons I mentioned during the start of my review but I was not able to get as much out of it anymore as I used to and I actually felt a bit disappointed by that fact. Still, that is what I felt after rewatching this and I am not afraid to share those thoughts.
When was the last time you saw it and what are your opinions about The Wizard of Oz?
You can’t forget that this was 1939, and for a film dated that far back, I think it’s still pretty amazing. Nostalgia does factor in a lot though…I agree. But the new Oz put me in a CGI coma…everything was pretty, but the majority was all fake fake fake.
I have mentioned it and can imagine it was revolutionary for its time. I can understand about the CGI coma, I never have issues with CGI (although if I could choose I would pick good practical effects)
I loved the movie as a child and was delighted when my granddaughter discovered it when she was 4 and proceeded to memorize the dialogue including an astonishingly accurate imitation of Margaret Hamilton’s “And your little dog too!” That wasn’t nostalgia. It’s still her favorite movie as she approaches 17. Just because it’s old doesn’t mean it can’t be great. I last saw it a couple of weeks ago. I still love the music, the dancing, the colors and the PERFORMANCES, which are NOT generated by computers. It isn’t nostalgia. It’s a great script, excellent acting, and a hell of a lot of creativity. I’ve seen it several hundred times over 50 years. I’ve read the books and owned the movie on DVD, videotape and now Blu-Ray. A 10 from me, my son, AND my granddaughter — three generations in a row. Oh, and my husband, and both my little dogs (woof) too.
I can understand that people love it Marilyn, it just did not work for me the way I remembered it.
Maybe you just outgrew it. The movie didn’t become less. You became more.
I would never say that 🙂
But it could be true anyway. Tastes change. There are many movies I loved when I was younger that annoy me now, not because they aren’t still good films but because I’ve changed over the years. I think we aren’t supposed to stay the same forever.
I do love this movie and a few years back managed to catch it showing on the big screen. Nice review.
I think it would be awesome to see on the big screen.
I saw it last about two years ago when I got the DVD.
Though the effects look dated and you do know you are on a set, I still love it. But I see where you are coming from.
I do think it has more life in it than “Oz, the Great and Powerful”, though.
The story is a classic one and although I wasn’t as crazy about it as the first time I saw it I do think it is a classic movie.
I’m afraid to watch it again, I don’t want to spoil my positive memories of it watching it as a child.
Well, it might be different for you from what I experienced!
Hi, Nostra:
Great critique of an iconic film.
Still don’t like the Flying Monkeys, though.
Thanks Jack! I don’t have a lot of feeling about the flying monkeys, I thought they were quite original and scary as hell if you would see them for real!
Nice review! Though I, as other commenters, am a fan of the film you have some interesting points which you get across well. I particularly like the ‘Wizard behind the curtain’ line. 🙂
I also enjoyed ‘Oz: The Great and Powerful.’ I think they work well as accompanying films; Oz has the modern technology to make it look great and, as you say, less stage-y while Wizard possesses the charm.
Thanks Chalbo! They both have their positive and negative sides and I agree that they work well as accompanying films.
Oh man. I was expecting a higher score from you, my man. Personally, I loved this film the first time I saw it, and revisiting it on Blu a year or so ago, i was amazed at just how well it’s aged. The opening twister effect sequence is as good as anything they can make on a computer these days – and back then it was done for realsies. This might make it “dated” but I think it adds a sense of realism.
I think the younger crowd might not appreciate the film as much due to a lack of sentimentality towards the classics of Hollywood, which is a shame, because there’s a lot of great films out there that just need to be approached with the right frame of mind.
Nice review, nostra!
Sorry to disappoint you Rodney, but I really felt strongly about it.
I watched both of them with the kids and I had a feeling they enjoyed the new one more…
I’d give The Wizard of Oz a perfect 10. I loved it as a kid, and it always makes me laugh, sing and smile as an adult. For me, it’s timeless. Kids of any generation can still enjoy the colour, story and kooky characters 🙂
I can imagine that this movie still gives people a lot of joy, somehow it just didn’t have the same magic for me anymore.