There's No Place Like Home...And No Movie Like This One.
There's some movies that I adore too much to even attempt to review. The Wizard of Oz is one of them, it being the first live action movie I ever saw, and one which I can happily credit many of my favorite childhood memories to.
Released in 1939 to critical acclaim and great financial success, The Wizard of Oz has become a great American classic, a cultural institution and a rite of passage for the young. Nearly 75 years have passed since this magical movie first captivated audiences, but its legacy lives on.
So great has been the impact of this movie, that there have been innumerable spin-offs (Wicked), prequels (Oz The Great and Powerful), sequels (Return to Oz) remakes (The Wiz, The Muppets Wizard of Oz, Tom and Jerry and the Wizard of Oz) and TV shows (The Wizard of Oz: The Series, The Witches of Oz). Still, the original classic shines brighter than all these, and simply because it's amazing.
Based on L. Frank Baum's book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the MGM film adaptation is a joyful celebration of friendship, laughter, hope and music. The story revolves around 12-year old Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland in her most iconic role), a young Kansas farm girl who dreams of "somewhere over the rainbow". When a tornado whisks her off to the colorful and strange land of Oz, Dorothy teams up with a Scarecrow (Ray Bolger) who longs for a brain, a Tinman (Jack Haley) who wants a heart, and a Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr) who thinks he could use a little more courage- and tries to find her way back home. But the journey back home isn't easy- especially when there's a Wicked Witch out to get you.
Everything about The Wizard of Oz is hugely ambitious and grand. It's still hard to believe that this movie is 75 years old. Elaborate sets, incredibly detailed costumes, and catchy and well-written songs make this movie a triumph. The movie starts of in sepia tones- portraying the dull, dusty life of Kansas, but makes a stunning transition to glorious Technicolor after about twenty minutes- one of cinema's greatest moments is when Dorothy opens the door to Munchkinland.
If the technological aspect is something ahead of its time, it's backed up be something every film still needs: a really good story. The Wizard of Oz is incredibly simple, structured and easy to follow. A girl tries to find her way back home, makes friends along the way, and must defeat the villain. It's a story structure that has been repeated many, many times in modern cinema. If I have any complaints about the story, it's that it does tend to feel slightly episodic. But when the movie comes together so perfectly, it doesn't even matter.
It goes without saying that the music of this movie is legend. Songs are foot-tapping, clever and follow motifs and themes. The biggest contribution of this movie to the world of music is arguably one of the greatest songs of all time- "Over The Rainbow" performed by Judy Garland as Dorothy. This is one song that will live on forever, it's message and hope shining on for decades to come.
Another thing that makes this movie great is that you fall in love with the characters. Dorothy is your typical girl next door, trying to find her way home. She's innocent and naive, with nary a character flaw. Her comrades are the kind of best friends you'd like to have by your side, people who stand by you and help you out in every situation. The Wicked Witch is positively terrifying (so much so that the most recent 3D theatrical release changed from a G to a PG rating because of her) and is the stuff that nightmares are made of, making her one of the best villains in history.
The Wizard of Oz has a captivating power. It's filled with wonder, magic and spectacle. At the same time it has a touching, sweet, hopeful story at it's core. Combine that with unforgettable elements like the yellow brick road, the ruby slippers, flying monkeys, an emerald city, and sleep-inducing poppies and you have a movie for the ages. Like I said, it's hard to believe this was made back in 1939.
As far as movies go, The Wizard of Oz is perfect. It doesn't feel dated or worn out at all. I've watched it upwards of 20 times and never get bored. The humor, music, story and visuals all make for a movie masterpiece, one that will continue to be treasured and loved for generations to come.
RATING: ★★★★★
In celebration of the film's 75th Anniversary, The Wizard of Oz is returning to theatres in IMAX 3D for a limited time only, starting September 20.
Related Review: Oz: The Great and Powerful (2013)
There's some movies that I adore too much to even attempt to review. The Wizard of Oz is one of them, it being the first live action movie I ever saw, and one which I can happily credit many of my favorite childhood memories to.Released in 1939 to critical acclaim and great financial success, The Wizard of Oz has become a great American classic, a cultural institution and a rite of passage for the young. Nearly 75 years have passed since this magical movie first captivated audiences, but its legacy lives on.
So great has been the impact of this movie, that there have been innumerable spin-offs (Wicked), prequels (Oz The Great and Powerful), sequels (Return to Oz) remakes (The Wiz, The Muppets Wizard of Oz, Tom and Jerry and the Wizard of Oz) and TV shows (The Wizard of Oz: The Series, The Witches of Oz). Still, the original classic shines brighter than all these, and simply because it's amazing.
Based on L. Frank Baum's book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the MGM film adaptation is a joyful celebration of friendship, laughter, hope and music. The story revolves around 12-year old Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland in her most iconic role), a young Kansas farm girl who dreams of "somewhere over the rainbow". When a tornado whisks her off to the colorful and strange land of Oz, Dorothy teams up with a Scarecrow (Ray Bolger) who longs for a brain, a Tinman (Jack Haley) who wants a heart, and a Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr) who thinks he could use a little more courage- and tries to find her way back home. But the journey back home isn't easy- especially when there's a Wicked Witch out to get you.
 |
| Judy Garland in her most iconic role ever. |
If the technological aspect is something ahead of its time, it's backed up be something every film still needs: a really good story. The Wizard of Oz is incredibly simple, structured and easy to follow. A girl tries to find her way back home, makes friends along the way, and must defeat the villain. It's a story structure that has been repeated many, many times in modern cinema. If I have any complaints about the story, it's that it does tend to feel slightly episodic. But when the movie comes together so perfectly, it doesn't even matter.
 |
| "I'll Get You, My Pretty!" |
It goes without saying that the music of this movie is legend. Songs are foot-tapping, clever and follow motifs and themes. The biggest contribution of this movie to the world of music is arguably one of the greatest songs of all time- "Over The Rainbow" performed by Judy Garland as Dorothy. This is one song that will live on forever, it's message and hope shining on for decades to come.
Another thing that makes this movie great is that you fall in love with the characters. Dorothy is your typical girl next door, trying to find her way home. She's innocent and naive, with nary a character flaw. Her comrades are the kind of best friends you'd like to have by your side, people who stand by you and help you out in every situation. The Wicked Witch is positively terrifying (so much so that the most recent 3D theatrical release changed from a G to a PG rating because of her) and is the stuff that nightmares are made of, making her one of the best villains in history.
The Wizard of Oz has a captivating power. It's filled with wonder, magic and spectacle. At the same time it has a touching, sweet, hopeful story at it's core. Combine that with unforgettable elements like the yellow brick road, the ruby slippers, flying monkeys, an emerald city, and sleep-inducing poppies and you have a movie for the ages. Like I said, it's hard to believe this was made back in 1939.
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| "There's No Place Like Home..." |
RATING: ★★★★★
In celebration of the film's 75th Anniversary, The Wizard of Oz is returning to theatres in IMAX 3D for a limited time only, starting September 20.
Related Review: Oz: The Great and Powerful (2013)