I never saw this movie when it first ran in theaters although I would have liked to. I finally saw it recently on the Disney Channel where I noticed it was not made to be a sequel, but a more closer recreation closer to the Frank L. Baum story with all the images and lore crammed in as far as possible and as many differences created to show the two apart. The special effects are over the top though and it tries too hard to be charming, but unlike the original film, the real world of Kansas is too harsh and nasty for little kids to appreciate. It is worthy to note that Fairuza Balk of "The Craft" was such an adorable and beautiful child in her youth, and quite a believable actress. I do like the scenes with the witch who chooses identities from different heads up until she ruins everything with the head of Jean Marsh; how'd she get in there ?! Dorothy's innocence is played up in several scenes and too far in others as she learns how her visit tampered with the grand scheme of things in Oz. None of the characters of the first film are given very large roles, but the visual creations are stunning and worth it to give the film a look.
Review of Return to Oz
