Return to Oz - A classic in its own right

Yes, we all know the first film - The Wizard of Oz - it was big all that time ago in 1939 and it's still as enjoyable today. Yet, somehow the long awaited (well 1985) sequel `Return to Oz' never real set the box office alight. It could be thought that that makes it a bad film, however, that couldn't be further from the truth.

It's about Dorothy (not Judy Garland, obviously) and her adventures as she's drawn back a second time to the magical land of Oz. Perhaps the main difference is the tone of the film. The 1939 epic was all blatantly filmed in a studio. It could have been a stage show, simply converted to film for all we knew, whereas the sequel is all filmed on location, automatically giving it a more realistic feel.

It also drew criticism for NOT having any of the other cast members back. Yes, the Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion and Tin Man are all in it (technically), but their screen time amounts to little more than extended cameos. Instead, we're treated to a new set of weird and wonderful helpers, who go about aiding Dorothy in her quest to defeat a new baddie (the Gnome King).

Apart from the fact that it's Oz and the central character is Dorothy, there are few similarities between the two films, leaving some to wonder what sort of sequel this is.

But don't be put off. It may be a different type of magical adventure, but it's still a very good one. Fairuza Balk has the difficult task of being the new Judy Garland, but she puts on a good performance as the small, vulnerable girl, lost in a much more nasty place than (the slightly older) Judy Garland had to survive in.

If you're a fan of fantasy films (and of course the original) then you should enjoy this. Just don't expect the happy-go-lucky feel of Oz's predecessor. It's worth returning to Oz, just to see this.

8/10 The Force is definitely strong with this one