Return to Oz

Return to Oz is a fascinating and otherworldly adventure film, a sequel of sorts to The Wizard of Oz, boasting innovative special effects and imaginative storytelling that veers darker and stranger than its predecessor. Released by Walt Disney Pictures in 1985, it features Fairuza Balk in the lead role as Dorothy Gale, supported by noteworthy actors Nicol Williamson and Jean Marsh.

After her initial escapade in Oz, Dorothy, played by the young and extremely talented Fairuza Balk, appears to be unable to let go of the whimsical land and its colorful inhabitants. She's been incessantly spinning tales about Tin Men, Scarecrows, Cowardly Lions, and magic wizards since being hurled back to Kansas by a fantastical tornado. Her stories concern her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry, who are already struggling with the harsh realities of life in the Dust Bowl and the rebuilding of their tornado-ravaged home. They believe Dorothy is suffering from delusional episodes, so she's begrudgingly shipped off to a forbidding sanatorium, where Dr. Worley (Nicol Williamson) employs unorthodox experimental therapies to cure her "fantasies."

A lightning storm facilitates her escape and propels her back into the enchantingly bizarre universe that is Oz. Here, the movie takes an intriguing turn, showcasing a decidedly bleaker and grotesque Oz, far removed from the vibrant and enchanting land Dorothy once visited. Oz is now a desolate wasteland ruled by the petrifying Nome King (also portrayed by Nicol Williamson) and the fearsome witch Mombi (Jean Marsh), who possesses an eerie collection of beautiful heads. With her old friends turned into stone and the land’s magic dwelled on the bleak side, Dorothy must navigate through this world with the help of new allies - a talking, highly sarcastic chicken named Billina, a mechanical man known as Tik-Tok, a moose-head mobility contraption called The Gump, and Jack Pumpkinhead, a figure composed of forest materials.

With the fresh yet pensively darker perspectives, Return to Oz manages to explore the theme of childhood and the confrontation with adult realities, adding a level of complexity often absent from traditional children's fare. This narrative choice steers away from the fairytale-like approach and provides a more reflective and introspective look into the concept of imagination as a coping mechanism during difficult times.

Fairuza Balk, in her debut cinematic role, impressively manages to convey Dorothy's plinth of emotions, rendering her both vulnerable and resilient. The dual roles of Nicol Williamson —one as a sketchy doctor in the real world and another as a formidable villain in Oz— encapsulates the film's dual tones of fear and fascination. Jean Marsh as Princess Mombi effortlessly induces shudders, personifying the concept of beauty as terror.

The film is also a showcase of profound puppetry and special effects. The use of stop-motion animation to bring to life the Nome King and his subterranean minions remains an exemplar of pre-CGI animation. The creativity in design and execution of characters like Tik-Tok and Jack Pumpkinhead highlights the movie's experimental spirit, paying homage to L. Frank Baum’s original books while extending their imaginative reach.

Directed by Walter Murch, a respected sound editor and designer turned director, Return to Oz presents a unique, evocative soundscape, highlighting Murch’s past in sound design, which deepens the overall impact of the film. Murch, along with screenwriter Gill Dennis, strays from the Technicolor dream of the 1939 film and leans into the eeriness and eccentricity that Baum's original books encapsulated, offering an altogether different yet equally captivating Oz experience.

Despite a departure from the light-heartedness of the original Wizard of Oz, Return to Oz retains its essence, offering a more mature take on the fantasy genre, keeping the audiences hooked with its aesthetically compelling storytelling approach.

In summary, Return to Oz is a bold and unique take on the magical land of Oz that captivates with its mix of whimsy and eeriness, driven by memorable performances, intriguing characters, and commendable animation work. It offers a deeper exploration of childhood imagination, creativity, and resilience in a world where fantastical dreams intertwine with unsettling realities. It's a forgotten piece of the 1980s cinema that blends dark fantasy with grand adventure, crafting a film experience that is both exciting and thought-provoking.