W2TCH

Return to Oz (1985)

1985 • 1h 49m • Adventure, Fantasy • PG
On September 24, 2026
#10198▼ 100
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CinemaSerf on Return to Oz

6/10 · Apr 4, 2022

This continuation of the story concerning the character "Dorothy" (Fairuza Balk) incorporates some genuinely unsettling aspects. Following her initial experience in "Oz," she's deeply affected, and her worried “Auntie Em” (Piper Laurie) attempts to assist her through electrical treatment. Fortunately, a storm intervenes, allowing Dorothy to flee from the institution where she was supposed to receive care; this leads her back to an Oz that is now bleak and empty. The yellow brick road has been destroyed, and the Emerald City exists only as ruins. It seems the subterranean "Nome King" intends to recover what he considers stolen gems from his domain, and with Princess "Mombi," the once-powerful city has been reduced to rubble. Young “Dorothy,” along with her new companions, "Jack Pumpkinhead" and the stout tin soldier "Tik-Tok," must now locate a mysterious life-giving powder in an effort to outwit them both and revive the kingdom. The narrative possesses a heightened sense of threat. The opening sequence involving treatment, enhanced by Nicol Williamson and Jean Marsh, is quite impactful, and Sophie Ward and Fiona Victory are given space to create some chaos as the multi-headed Princess. My primary concern lies with the fact that Miss Balk appears noticeably younger than Judy Garland, and she doesn’t come across as a particularly captivating performer. The animation style also feels somewhat rudimentary, although it maintains a brisk pace, featuring plenty of airborne sofas and reinforcing the idea that green is inherently positive.

Source on TMDB