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Rating:  - CLASSIC!!
ALTHOUGH I'VE SEEN THIS SEVERAL TIMES DURING MY YOUTH I CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF IT!!
Rating:  - A Wickedly Misbegotten Mess Manages a Few Bright Spots But Not Enough 30 Years Later
It's a bit confounding as to why this legendary 1978 fiasco would warrant a 30th Anniversary Edition DVD, even though in hindsight, this elaborately conceived film is not quite as bad as I recall. That's not to say it's a neglected masterpiece. Not by a long shot. Directed by the estimable Sidney Lumet (Long Day's Journey Into Night, Network, last year's Before the Devil Knows You're Dead), the epic-length film is a regrettable misfire on several counts with its chief liability being a rickety story structure due to an early-career foible of a screenplay by current schlock-master Joel Schumacher (Batman Forever, The Phantom of the Opera). The 1975 Broadway musical version was a zesty, all-black update of Frank Baum's original story that became a long-running hit. Schumacher eschewed the book of the stage version in order to customize the role of Dorothy, written as a pre-pubescent Kansas farm girl, for a then 34-year old Diana Ross still riding high off Lady Sings the Blues and Mahogany. Consequently, in the film version, Dorothy has inexplicably become a 24-year old Harlem schoolteacher with a severe case of social anxiety disorder.
Because the original 1939 film version of The Wizard of Oz is so familiar, there is virtually no sense of surprise in the way of plot. The challenge becomes watching a dowdy, skeletal-looking Ross react to her surreal surroundings in such an excessively naïve manner as to make Dorothy appear in need of a special education program. That leaves her three road companions to pick up the slack, and for the most part, they do. One can now feel melancholic over Michael Jackson's youthfully energetic turn as the Scarecrow since it is the only time his abundant talents have been captured on the big screen. He does his trademark spins and jumps in an exuberant duet with Ross on the show's most famous number, "Ease on Down the Road", probably the film's best moment. Comedian Nipsey Russell makes a likeably philosophical Tin Man, but it's Ted Ross who truly shines as Fleetwood the Lion in a performance that compares favorably to Bert Lahr's cowardly original. A rather hyper Richard Pryor makes a barely-there appearance in the title role. The women fare even less well. Theresa Merritt has just a few scenes upfront as kindly Aunt Emma, Mabel King does her blustery best to make an impression as Evillene the Wicked Witch in just a couple of scenes, and the legendary Lena Horne is simply wasted as Glinda the Good in static repose as she belts out her one number, "If You Believe in Yourself".
The film picks up considerable energy during the production number set to Luther Vandross' "Everybody Rejoice/Brand New Day", but Lumet just doesn't know when to stop it. Like Martin Scorsese (1977's New York, New York) and John Huston (1982's Annie), Lumet is a director out of his depth within the necessary fleetness of the musical genre, and the film's pacing lags over its excessive running time of 133 minutes. The one element that remains impressive over the years is Tony Walton's creative costumes and elaborate production design turning New York City into a surreal series of carnival rides. Most ironically, the World Trade Center is made over into Emerald City and the Twin Towers plaza becomes the setting for an Earth, Wind & Fire-style disco ensemble. For what is marketed as a special edition package, the 2008 DVD is surprisingly bereft of meaningful extras - a brief making-of featurette made at the time of production, the original theatrical trailer and a CD with eight of the movie's songs. The movie is a misbegotten mess with just a few forgotten jewels.
Rating:  - My daughter loves this movie!
We owned the DVD, but lost it when we moved early 2008. My daughter loved it so I got another copy. This one was a little better because it came with a CD. I thought that it was the entire soundtrack but it was only 8 sounds (not all of the ones that I liked).
This is a great movie. The music is awesome and the imagery is great. This a much better version than the 1930's version. Basically, it has more soul!
Rating: - "IF IT ONLY HAD A HEART"
As a lifelong Diana Ross fan, I will start out this review by saying that, as strongly as I may feel about an artist, I do not have to fawn over every piece of work he or she does. I am still able to see the artist's foibles and humanity, as well as the merits or problems inherent in a specific project.
It was clear, back in the day, that Diana Ross had her sights seriously set on playing the part originally made famous by Judy Garland. Ms. Ross REALLY, maybe desperately, wanted to fill Ms. Garland's ruby slippers. Blinded by her intense ambition, she apparently lobbied Berry Gordy with every fiber to land this role. [Reportedly, he really needed to be lobbied for him to agree to get this film made with her as the star.]
Which is not to say that Ms. Ross' performance is without merit. She put forth back-breaking effort for this role, put her whole heart into it, and manifested serious acting/singing/dancing chops.
In fact, the whole project had a LOT going for it, especially in terms of casting, musical production, set design, etc. Everyone involved in this project was "A" list talent in their respective fields. One exception might be Joel Schumacher, the script adapter. I believe this was a very early project in his film career. Not that the script totally stinks, either.
No, the two main detracting issues are the fact that it was hard to believe Diana Ross in this role [much has been said about her simply being too old to be believed as the wide-eyed, naive innocent she needed to portray], and, the script was not up to the job of compensating for this lack of believability.
I truly wanted to love this movie, and, in fact, was rooting for it to be a success. I was especially rooting for Diana Ross. LIFE magazine did a cover story on THE WIZ, in which the film was touted as the most expensive [in those days, over $30 million] to that point. There was also a lot of fascination regarding the filming in Astoria, Queens, NYC. In the end, as high as my hopes were as a big fan, the project fell short in terms of "heart." I came away with the feeling that something was missing. The impression that this movie made was all about the style and slickness, and not about the substance. There was little else to pull you in. [Michael Jackson's turn as the Scarecrow was pretty touching, and inventively played.]
A casualty of this endeavor was very likely Diana Ross' very promising movie career. That's a real pity and a waste of a 'triple-threat performer's' gifts.
In the end, and overall, quite a disappointment.
P.S. To the good folks who end up comparing this to the original 1939 feature:
-maybe it's too easy to want to compare, even though it might not be fair to do so---like comparing apple trees and broomsticks; or maybe it IS entirely fair
-as far as the music goes: there is no question, I repeat, no question that the music in the original WIZARD OF OZ features a score and tunes that are enduring classics, some of the greatest in movie and music history; there is no song that has been covered by so many, and so often as "Somewhere over The Rainbow," [except maybe "White Christmas"] and that's just the BEGINNING; whereas "Ease on Down The Road" is just a so-so, fun song, and "Home," while a very beautiful song, also frequently covered, has not proven to become an enduring classic; in fact, many of the tunes in THE WIZ just aren't very memorable, even if they serve their purpose within the context of the production
-these comparisons prove how blinded one can be by his or her prejudices; clearly, one is absolutely entitled to like or not like something---Thank God for that; on the other hand, when one is real and fair in a critique, and uses good reasoning rather than emotion, it's easier to respect one's opinion
Thank you for reading!
Rating: - I've always loved this musical
I've always loved the WIZ Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russel and Diana Ross are great. My favorite songs are "EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD, "CAN YOU FEEL THE BRAND NEW DAY" (What they sing at the end) AND "YOU CAN'T WIN" I've got this on tape now I'm gonna have it on DVD I'm thrilled.
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