Return to Oz is Shockingly Nice

[@MorriganAtwood]

I never feared the Wheelers as a kid because Tick Tock is made to look like a little army man, and he therefore strongly resembled my dad. Who was also a little army man with a moustache. So the Wheelers being onscreen just translated to my toddler brain as "dad is about to come kick their asses for being scary."

[@TheOneAndAlways]

That's so sweet : >

[@Kh-bs7mg]

That's so cute

[@TheIzzlzzy]

My heart- 🥹

[@boogaloo6780]

aww this is adorableee

[@Mike14264]

That's really neat :)

[@shoogles_]

Adults nervously insisting that children's material is actually super dark and literal, often to justify their enjoying it, seems like exactly the opposite of the point the movie was making, then?

[@BMask]

Pretty much! But you know how the KZbin game goes and what people are more likely to click on...

[@sketchsskotch1073]

Me going back to headcanon that the Sonic series is super dark and literal.

[@seeleunit2000]

Pretty much. Just look at when the X-Men came in live action form in the films in the 2000s They were pretending to be all dark and edgy... Forgetting what the X-Men were supposed to be about. Seriously, I want to see a superhero movie where the superheroes are in costumes without the shame

[@freakytostadacartoon]

Yeah, I dont pretend. There is some schildrens media that is dark, like the Neverending Story book, not by the literal interpretation but the symbolical way.

[@zingkoinko1231]

@@BMaski like the one with marshmallow man !

[@shadowapple8890]

To this day, my mother and I still quote "An egg? Poison!" in the exact same tone the film used whenever we are together using eggs in cooking.

[@Silenced23]

Fo shizzle my nizzle dizzle

[@millyshona5007]

Lol, I’m allergic to eggs.. so I thought 💭 at first that everyone is. Later I discovered that only I was allergic to the “Poison”: eggs. So my little brain 🧠 thought that the movie was made for me, or a secret message was hidden in there for me. So I watched it dozens of times all the while praying I can go to Oz. 🤔

[@masamune2984]

As someone who absolutely ABHORS eggs (🤢🤮 🙅🏻‍♂️🚫❌🥚 ), I totally agree, and do the same 😅🙂☺️👍

[@MaxOakland]

That's awesome! :D

[@fmsyntheses]

You and your mom sound like good eggs

[@BuddySweyzer]

2:28 "Tik-Tok of Oz" Ugh, even L. Frank Baum had to chase trends to appeal to the kids

[@BMask]

Dammit I knew there was a way to make that joke work

[@Lloyd1236_THEGRRATEST]

That was the first thing that came to my mind when I heard jt

[@animefan77]

29:10- While on first glance, Dorothy is freaked out at such an ugly head being in this cabinet and could potentially wake up to warn the others and the main body. It's goes a much subtler horror if you watch the MGM first. In the MGM, aside from the Wicked Witch being the Oz counterpart of Glutch, that Dorothy never brings up- taking the Witch as her own character, every other major character is a helpful ally that was already a beneficial person in her life. With the Scarecrow, Tinman, and Lion being the Farmhands and the Wizard being the traveling fortune teller, it's a sign of comfort that she doesn't have to feel isolated as these people share the same tenderness and concern for her as the Oz counterparts. In this moment, Dorothy had managed to escape a harrowing situation in almost becoming a victim of shock therapy that would rob her of her agency, escaping to Oz, her place of comfort, but finding it ruined. While one of the Wheelers- the head of the group- resembles the orderly, this isn't as emphasized. And while the Nome King sounds similar to the doctor, she hadn't met the Nome King yet to realize it. Mombi is initially normal but gradually becomes terrifying as she reveals herself to be a head-hunting monster that collects the heads of beautiful women like hats and intends to groom Dorothy into another of her gallery. While the looming threat of being found out by the head-hunting witch waking up to take her away as the heads alert her is scary enough, the revelation of the true face of Mombi being the head nurse- the last person she ever expected to see again, somehow manifesting in Oz is surreal. In spite of it being a moment of joy, it's an existential nightmare of reality somehow allowing these awful people to follow Dorothy no matter where she goes, even breaking the laws of time and space to do so.

[@otherverge]

My favorite type of genre in ANYTHING is a story with full of love and heart having the most insanely scary stuff in it, seemingly juxtaposed with everything, when in motion makes the entire thing have this kind of charm you will never see in anything else. It’s the reason why I love Gremlins, The Witches, or the first season of Stranger Things so much.

[@beauwalker9820]

Same, I loved old Don Bluth movies and such as a kid too, and looking back it's amazing they didn't frighten me. Also your Mario cartoon avatar is quite funny. I kinda miss "eye bulging" visual gags from old cartoons, you don't really see sight gags much in cartoons anymore.

[@Gibbypastrami]

Can we just take a second and acknowledge how amazing the original Trio look? They’re straight out of the books, when I saw Scarecrow in the books for the first time, just, wow

[@sarafontanini7051]

the wya I see it its not that the nome king CARES about being human, its mroe the IDEA of it, one more thing to TAKE and haord to himself from others. Since the largely human people of Oz took from him, dared to think they were somehow BETTER than him (despite not knowing he even existed), he'll take that idea from THEM, make himself in their image so that HE can lord himself over THEM while they're trapped in his vault forever, as the human image makes HIM more real than THEM. he's jsut such a BASTARD. Great villain.

[@BMask]

Which is definitely how a quack doctor would view his patients. Especially children.

[@gnbman]

Your conclusion about the meaning of the conflict between Dorothy and the Nome King actually made me cry a little. I've loved this movie for most of my life but never saw it that way.

[@williamhanekom9882]

I can't be thankful enough that you're defending this films intentions. It's an honest, sincere fairytale film where whimsical and perilous things exist tangentially, not many movies nowadays come close to that balance. A good comparison I can make to this film is Guillermo Del Toro's Pinnochio in which a lot of the darker real world themes are present but the endearing lead character perseveres in spite of it.

[@catherineholden6388]

The 1939 movie is one of the greatest films of all time. THIS is the greatest Oz film of all time. I loved it when very few people did. I saw it at the theater when it came out, and as an adult AND as an Oz fan - books and 1939 movie. This was Oz, not Hollywood.

[@h_works2965]

Trust me, as someone who has long considered Watership Down one of their favourite movies, I’m very used to seeing something get discussed purely in terms of how ‘dark’ or traumatising’ it is. When in fact the film in question is far more uplifting and intelligently made than it’s given credit for outside of ‘edge’ appeal. So while I haven’t seen Return to Oz, I can definitely relate to that experience. And this video has honestly peaked my interest to watch it myself. Another splendid video. Thanks so much for making this.

[@Late0NightPC]

That's something that I've always hated seeing, when a work intended for a younger audience is only looked at on a surface level for how dark it is, and it ends up being treated by both sides of the argument as though that is all it is, entirely ignoring the actual depth or quality of the work. "Darkness", like anything else in a story, is a tool, and how it's used it what makes it good or bad. The entire point of fiction is that it isn't real, but isn't "not real" either. In regards to stories for kids, it's a place where they can confront ideas or situations in a safe and controlled environment, letting them get some sort of experience before they have to eventually face those kinds of things in the real world. If it's too much, just put the book down or pause the TV and walk away, then, when you are feeling better, come back and try and go a little further.

[@MaxOakland]

You should watch Return to Oz. It's very good

[@londonjackson8986]

I'm so happy you brought up Eric & Skottie's Marvel Graphic OZ Comics!!! Back in 2019 to 2020, when I was interested in the first 3 OZ books, I found out there were Marvel Comics that adapted the first 6 books. So I check them out, gave them a read & I was (and still am) shocked at how little recognition or acknowledgment these comics got over the years. Skottie's fantastic, colorful, & cartoony art style, combined with Eric's faithfulness to the original text makes these comics an fantastic introduction for the children of today to Baum's work. They were so good, that I ended up looking into Skottie's other work, like I Hate Fairyland (which has a sequel series that recently started in Last Year) & checked out Baum's Life & Adventures of Santa Claus.

[@BMask]

I was a little shocked too! Luckily they've recently collected them, very recently, in a bunch of editions like the complete collection series and a full omnibus. Sadly, the complete collection doesn't feature all the information Shanhower would preface each story with in the single volumes, which is so crucial to what's changed in each story or what's been emphasised, though they may be in the omnibus.

[@fromagenoir7220]

I ADORE David Shire's Music for this film. Everyone loves 39's songs and score (I do too) but this score IS Oz. Thank you for your review. The reading of the movie's themes and ideas are spot on.

[@Working_Dreamer]

This is such a wonderful video! I have always seen this movie as a great example of melancholy that is rarely exemplified in kid’s media but is a very real part of growing up. There’s an element of realizing that you are growing older and things aren’t as simple as they used to be. Sometimes visiting the past only highlights that disconnect. When Dorothy sees the portrait of her friends and that haunting violin plays, that was the moment that stuck with me for years. She longs for a piece of her that’s missing but she’s being forced to grow up by the adults that surround her. And I feel like every child has had a similar moment when adults (or other children pretending to be grown up) try to force the whimsy out of them. “How old are you? That’s stuff is for babies? You seriously still play with toys/watch cartoons?” Every kid has had that disconnect growing up where they feel the need to throw away the things that made them feel happy during childhood. I feel like this movie is very important in presenting the idea that childhood doesn’t have an age limit. While we can naturally grow out of things we should never throw away the value those things gave to us. This movie also seems to speak for those who had to grow up through tough circumstances (trauma, death, manipulation by adults who don’t have their best intentions at heart) and this movie earnestly encourages those people to never give up on the child inside that believes in magic and wonderful lands. People may have hurt you. Life may have taken advantage of you. You might have been forced to grow up early in life. But never give up on that innocent child within yourself. They still believe in a place that is made perfectly for them. They still believe in a safe world where they can have wonderful adventures with friends who care deeply for them. And no matter how difficult life is, we need to protect that inner child. Dorothy’s Oz became lost and corrupted by circumstances she couldn’t control but she restored Oz and returned home as a more complete person than she ever had before. I love this movie so much! This is an amazing video!

[@MaxOakland]

That's a beautiful interpretation

[@Working_Dreamer]

@@MaxOakland Thank you! Return to Oz is one of my favorite movies of all time! 💚

[@m.c.s1306]

I nearly teared up reading that, well said.

[@the_real_Kurt_Yarish]

As a kid, I always held this film in higher regards than _The Wizard of Oz_ , it captured a kind of magic in me that the other film never did. I'm not sure if it's the visuals, the subtle terror, or if I just jived with what they were putting down. In any case, I hold it in my heart as a true classic.

[@shady9118]

This video is great! I love how you broke down that thing people always say that "this childs film was so dark and edgy omg!!!!" It drives me insane and is one of my least favorite things people have to say about children's media, especially since half the time it's not that dark or edgy. It is just a piece of media that's accessible to children, but doesn't absolutely cater to them. People overlook the actual qualities and intentions behind a piece of media, just so they can claim that something was "so traumatizing".

[@otaku-sempai2197]

In contrast to many of the other critics of the day, Return to Oz was one of the late Harlan Ellison's favorite films.

[@BMask]

That makes way too much sense

[@wren_bean]

When i was tiny, my oldest sister described the scene in princess Momby's Castle and i was fascinated. Jump forward about 20 years, i was working for a used media retail chain and a dvd copy of 'return' turned up and i knew i had to watch it. It's one of my favorite movies now. You express beautifully how wholesome, endearing and actually encouraging this film and its characters are in spite of the darker aesthetic. Loved this video

[@KhakiCube]

I will absolutely adore this film for introducing me to the aesthetic and fantasy of Oz, that the 1939 film didn't entirely capture. It's rustic, whimsical, succinct, and charming.

[@MaxOakland]

8:27 - This is one of my favorite things about the first oz movie. It looks so handmade. But handmade by some of the most talented people alive at the time. It gives it something *very* special that we don't see anymore since movies are made to look "real"

[@JayMaverick]

Love this film. It was like returning to a place you remember as magical and colorful from the first visit, but when you come back all the cracks start to show. Was it ever as perfect as you first thought? Bleak, nightmareish, but whimsical and full of heart. And amazing special effects that definitely have stood the test of time. Thanks for the review, brought back a lot of memories.

[@kundlas100]

It’s funny, but I actually went and saw Wicked for the first time the day before yesterday, and while I enjoyed my time with it (mainly Guh-linda), I was mostly thinking about the production and the history and I only came off of it thinking “yep, I had fun with that, I see why people like that”. It actually gave me the push to rewatch Wizard and finally give Return a look, and I know which of these three got my full attention and tears. While I respect the original Wizard, both in terms of its production and what it meant to audiences at the time, Return really does steep you in a truly fantastical darkness to make the light and triumphs of the characters all the more earned. It’s classic Disney/KH stuff, you need the dark to appreciate the light, and having such a likable and earnest cast there made it all the better. Like I just genuinely couldn’t stop smiling at how charming and, for lack of a better word, engaging it all was. Gave me Majora’s Mask vibes, seeing such a dire state brought right by the hero with sheer creativity and heart clearly on the screen and tons to think about and dissect out, and that’s always a great thing.

[@BabyCharmander]

Return to Oz is my all-time favorite movie and it's SO GOOD finally seeing more and more people recognize what a fantastic movie it is and actually giving it the reviews and analysis that it deserves!! (Also THANK YOU FOR THE LINKS TO THE INTERVIEWS!! I always try to absorb as much stuff about this movie as possible so it's fantastic seeing more interviews and behind-the-scenes stuff!) It's funny because I watched this film as a small child and, while it scared me (and slightly confused me--"why was Dorothy in this movie younger than the Dorothy in Wizard of Oz?" wondered younger!me), I still absolutely adored it. (It probably helped a tiny bit that I saw it on the Disney Channel, which cut tiny bits of some of the scarier scenes, like a few clips of the heads, the Nome King's eye glazing over, and a shot of headless!Mombi... though it also, for some reason, cut Ozma's line explaining that the screams Dorothy was hearing were the "damaged patients," which made the head nurse's arrest at the end rather confusing, but I digress.) While I did love the original musical, this movie always stood out to me so much more, on the same level as other films from that era like The Neverending Story and Labyrinth and Dark Crystal, but... more than all of them, too--those all still rank among my favorite movies, but I think RtO rises above them for the reasons you explain, the tenderness and hopefulness that the film embodies, that shine all the more brighter because of the darkness. I really loved your analysis of the film, even though I don't fully agree with part of your interpretation. Not to say the analysis is wrong or bad in any way--it's truly fantastic! I just personally like to look at RtO from the lens of Oz being a real place, as it is from the books. The original musical makes it firmly a dream Dorothy had (although if you've seen the newer stage version of the same musical, that's changed--the big reveal at the end is that Dorothy STILL has her ruby slippers!), but RtO I see as being a bit different. Yes, we do see the parallels between the nurse and Mombi, Doctor Worley and the Nome King, and the orderlies and the wheelers, but I like to see that more as Dorothy seeing the Oz villains that way because she's reminded of the awful people in Kansas that she just escaped. The wheelers are unsettling and make creaking noises, Mombi is trying to imprison her, and the Nome King is trying to take Oz away from her. That said, I also 100% understand interpreting this from the lens of Oz NOT being a real place, and your analysis of it in that way makes a lot of sense. One small note is that the novelization of the book clarifies why the Nome King wants to be human. From the scene where Dorothy makes a correct guess, and the Nome King starts to turn back: "And this time, instead of thunder, the Nome King heard the distant chime of a bell--the fateful sound that told him a transformation had been broken. Looking down at himself, he saw that he had become suddenly more rocklike, instead of more human. Instead of being free from his imprisoning bonds of rock, he was being reabsorbed; the source of all his awesome power was still his prison." So he does have an in-universe reason for it--it's just not fully clarified in the final film. Overall, I LOVED this video. Thank you SO MUCH for giving a fair look at this underrated piece of media!!

[@AnnPaper0322]

Rewatched this movie tonight with my friend as part of a woo/rto double feature and kept this video in mind. I’ve seen the movie maybe 3 times total and this was the first time watching it with a sense of awe and a warmed heart. It truly is a life-affirming celebration of childlike wonder and I’m so grateful for this video for pointing that out to me and allowing me to get the most out of my viewing experience with it. Thank you for pouring so much time, effort and care into this. The importance of media analysis cannot be understated, especially with a piece of art as widely misunderstood as Return To Oz.

[@lesliemartin3]

When my mom rented this for my sisters and I when we were little we loved it so much we begged my mom to just like keep the rental. Years later my sisters and I would still go to Blockbuster and rent this thing when we were like 17 and 18. The movie is just so good. Like even if you never knew what the wizard of Oz was if somebody set you in front of the TV in this was playing you'd be into it.

[@moffie-moff5044]

When I first found out about Return to Oz I was a little apprehensive, because of how many elements from different books they utilized, afraid it wouldn’t have a clear direction. Then they sent Dorothy to a mental hospital and I was HOOKED. This is how you make an adaptation that’s insanely different from the source material but amazing in its own right

[@Nightman221k]

I love the movie and how much it celebrates the books. I wish more adaptations of the books were available cause they’re so good.

[@spenceduggs]

I was a huge fan of the sequel books when I was little, but I had never seen this movie before! There's something deeply surreal about seeing such faithful film interpretations of characters I only knew as static drawings. Tick Tock especially was always so stiff in the books, but seeing him in motion was truly special. Thanks for covering this :)

[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

I read the original books more than I saw the MGM movie (until my dad splurged on the anniversary VHS) and that's probably why I've always preferred Return to Oz. It takes some creative liberties, but it looks and feels the way I always imagined Oz and the characters.

[@NeptuneCactus]

Oh man, this film sounds more of like what I wanted Labyrinth to be. Based on your description it sounds like they operate on similar ideas. But this sounds like it works on justifying fears young people have in a really cool way. Those are some of my favorite kinds of stories when they're done well (see: The Owl House if you're into Disney products that touch on escapism), and I'd heard for years this was exactly the opposite of what you described. I think I'll finally give it a watch!

[@dangalfthedruid]

4:52 that was lightning fast, but just wanted to mention that I loved that quick cut to Cap understanding the reference, matching the exact timing of me gasping as I realized that beauty and the beast was referencing Oz

[@bellboy7809]

You mentioned Jean Marsh and, Dr. Who fan that I am, took a couple minute to confirm that yes, it’s the same Jean Marsh that played an obscure 1st Doctor companion for one story involving the Daleks. That wouldn’t normally get me out of bed, but she also played the same part again in a few audio dramas decades after the fact. … I think I have a problem.

[@AtlantisTheLostEmpire]

She also played the evil Queen Bavmorda, in the 1988 movie "Willow".

[@peterparker3839]

This was released at the perfect time, I just attended a Wizard of Oz play the other day. So the original film and the world of Oz have been on my mind lately. Excellently crafted video as always :)

[@BroadwayGuy]

Thank You for this!! "RETURN TO OZ" always made me melancholic, not downright scared. MGM'S "THE WIZARD OF OZ" always gave me several ultimately uplifting emotions. I'll have to look at "RETURN" again through the perspective you present here. Another connection: In "RETURN", adults whom Dorothy can't trust, try to destroy "OZ" forever. At the end of MGM'S movie, Aunt Em says, "You've just had a bad dream", dismissing Oz. But Judy Garland replies, with intense conviction, "No, Aunt Em. This was a REAL, TRULY LIVE place."

[@montgomerygator4732]

0:38 "Autobots, roll out."

[@montecristo1845]

I was one of the few kids in the theater who knew what the heck was going on in Return to Oz. My parents took my sister and me on long cross country trips growing up and one of the things we did was get read to from the front seat when we weren’t doing other activities. We had gone through the first seven Oz books both at home and on the road by the time the film was released. I now have read all fourteen Oz books (plus a few of his other works) to my five kids and they love the imagination of L. Frank Baum.

[@foreignparticle1320]

I loved this film as a kid. Along with The Dark Crystal, I found it scary, but thrilling - and imbued with a kind of "real magicalism" that made me feel connected to the worlds.

[@Johnlindsey289]

What about labyrinth or willow?

[@LyricNear]

I always watch every Return to Oz video analysis on my recommended for one very self-indulgent reason: it will always give me something new to think about regarding a completely unrelated Broadway musical. Like Return to Oz, it stars a young girl escaping a harsh reality of the Great Depression into a world that may or may not be a dream, aided by colorful and wacky friends as she stands up to a calm but terrifying old man, and was created by a wonderfully talented group of people. Also like Return to Oz, as soon as it came out it was accused of corrupting the supposedly carefree and innocent media it was based on, is actually much more loyal to the idea of the original books, while at the same time playing with your expectations. The musical is 1984’s Raggedy Ann, which appeared on Broadway in 1986 and closed after five performances. Depending on the kind of person you are it’s completely skippable, a train wreck you can’t look away from, or a half-baked idea with so much potential your brain can’t stop spinning with what it would take to do it *right*. With some digging you find the playwright never wanted to write a children’s story, and was finally inspired by the legend of the creator of Raggedy Ann creating the stories for his dying daughter. He set off to make a “modern” fairy tale, just as dark and disturbing as the ones he had when he was a kid. And at first, it worked. Though some parents complained that the show was far too dark for children, the producers responded by bringing in child physiologist Bruno Bettelheim to give a lecture in the same theater and prove them all wrong. It was considered too dark and esoteric for children (depicting a solipsistic and existential Death figure, as well as a suicide attempt) and too childish for adults (her bed becomes a boat, a camel flies, clouds sing) and the sponsors were not happy. It got butchered for Broadway- large special effects, bigger dance numbers, and a happily-ever-after attempting to distract you from the inherent bleakness of the story’s premise. Undermining whatever genuine heart it had been praised for two years prior. I always love watching videos on Return to Oz because the similarities help me pick out the issues with that original script, so many critics were unwilling to really pick the thing apart critically and just call it a disturbing childish wash. It could use a stronger protagonist with more agency, and as funny as the gang’s mean-spirited antics are they should actually respect her sometime, something to talk to the children in the audience, which we know the playwright wasn’t writing for as his adult characters (the girl’s parents, Raggedy Ann) are far more engaging. On a musical note, the book and music could complement each other far more. The figure of death attempts to be comforting, characters shown to die willingly follow him, and it’s only through the love and care of her friends that Marcella sees life as worth the effort to keep living. I think it’s too bad we never see in depth reactions from kids about the show, the closest thing would be reviews from Russia, where it is still immensely popular and better understood there than by any audiences here. If you read this far thank you for listening to me ramble. I honestly tried to keep it short so I'm sorry for omitting a plot synopsis. Also I love this video and it’s incredibly well-made to get me thinking all of these thoughts. Genuinely my favorite take on Return To Oz’s relationship with the original film, and I hope you make more videos like it!!!

[@crogurk8459]

Man looking back at it, this is one of those films that I wish I watched when I was young in a way. Also holy frick, 31:58 I didn't expect to hear Evil Twin music here, that game despite playing like butt deserves more attention for it's style. Please make a video talking about it.

[@BMask]

Yeah, the guy who made it sadly passed away but he made one of the most incredible soundtracks to a very interesting concept before he did. Terrible 'game' as it stands, but fascinating project.

[@crogurk8459]

@@BMask It's so strange that there are certain games with really bad gameplay but amazing presentation. I do hope some day someone makes a video talking about it. Though good luck playing that game really, I beat it and man it was Rough. Worst part is I remember reading that originally it was going to be a movie instead of a game which is one of the few examples where I wish they went with it being a movie instead considering how beatiful and artistic it is.

[@alexblackmore7744]

@@BMask Bertrand Eluerd's music is amazing - I've his entire discography of soundtrack work on my computer. No idea how I managed to get all of it, as some of it's pretty difficult to come by now, but there's not a single bad track in the bunch.

[@BMask]

@@alexblackmore7744 You've just sent me down a wonderful rabbit hole back to discover more of his work. It hasn't disappointed, thank you!

[@palsonparade]

When I did media studies in school, my teacher had asked the students ' what was their favorite movie ' and to say it put loud. Most of the movies were Spiderman or notebook and he would actually have a small conversation with the kids. When It was my turn I had proudly said ' return to oz '. My teacher at the time looked straight at me and told me I was mental for liking the movie lmao. He had to 'explain' to the other kids ( all like 16-17) that the movie is a dark turn on wizard of oz and that one of the main villains stole heads. He did not like me much when I wrote a whole essay on the original story of Peter Pan.

[@strongbad635]

I am SO glad I'm not the only one who fully appreciates David Shire's MASTERFUL score for this film. One of the best I've ever heard!

[@wildfire9280]

You know what else is shockingly nice? This video. 🤠

[@BMask]

❤️

[@Nightman221k]

Oh hey B-Mask if you are interested in quirky Oz adaptations I just recently saw Tom and Jerry Back to Oz and it is a fun film I think it was Paul Dini who wrote it and it comes off as an Oz fan’s fantasy for a sequel to the Original film using elements of the books. Plus Tom and Jerry happen to be there (it’s goofy fun)

[@BMask]

I did wonder who put the Nome King in there- knowing it was Paul makes so much sense!

[@felixchu8444]

The score for this film was outstanding, especially at the films final moments during the credits. This is one of my all time favourite films and I highly praise it

[@jodijoya-clark7741]

With this explanation of the movie, Return to Oz is VERY similar to Alice: Madness Returns. Both deal with adults’ influences on the iconic magical lands because of how they mocked the young protagonists in real life; and it’s up those protagonists to prove them wrong and undo them.

[@spacecase13]

Thanks for covering this ! I loved watching this on daytime TV in the 80's as child. It's still a favorite now. A truly amazing movie, love it love it.

[@annabunovsky5628]

I love Return To Oz to pieces, and so much of the conversation surrounding this film is how “messed up” it is, and while yes, it is a dark film, I feel like people are blindsided to what a sincere, sweet and empowering film it actually is. Thank you for making a video devoted to uncovering that!

[@LowellLucasJr.]

I love Return to Ox. It was Dark, Creepy, based more on the book and completely imaginative !!!! I still adore all of Gnome Kings transformations and even Mombies many heads! Trust me, it was weird watching this on Disney Channel late at night back in the early 90s...it was hard to imagine today!

[@thedevilgoose2482]

Well, hey, this perfectly explains why the Oz books are still my favorite in the fantasy genre! The Wonderland duology, too. They're equals in my eyes. A lot of similarities, I think.

[@Salamon2]

I have long loved the Ragtime March of Oz for all the reasons you list: its mischief, its fun, and unflappable determination. Thank you for shining a light on it.

[@sketchtheparadigmyork1217]

I saw someone ask what Americas great fairytale would be, like how many fairy tales actually come from places in Europe. The Wizard of Oz is the obvious answer.

[@shaycrowley3262]

I was obsessed with this movie as a kid. Scary at first but once you've watched it 100 times, it's so fun!

[@justinshelton5026]

I always liked it. I saw it in the theater as a kid. And rented it many times from the video store.

[@pestergeist]

Lumpy man is real, ive seen him at the hospital once.

[@smoogieboogie1694]

I've never watched this movie but I've always adored the character design. I'm excited to watch it now. Also you made me want to get into the world of Oz as a whole after this.

[@andrewboxall2945]

honestly - if the Oz films had been a trilogy this would be "The empire strikes back" of the series.

[@sarahvonsydow1998]

Return to Oz was actually the Oz movie I watched most of when I was kid, to the point where I couldn't really sit through the MGM because it was just too different and boring for a little me compared to Return. And I must say, you've magnificently articulated exactly why I loved that movie so much, and still do to this day. Because Return to Oz is a scary movie, sure- but adventures are scary. But in the end, Dorothy remains brave and is able to overcome all the scariness and make great new friends along the way, in a manner that only a little child can. The whole movie is a celebration of a child's imagination, and that message really resonated with me as a kid.

[@Soynereh]

Keep it up. Always love to hear about media that passionates.

[@Okapi540]

Loving that combo of old Oz illustrations with the Fairy Council music from Rayman 3.

[@cgaussie]

What an absolutely beautiful look back at a wonderful film. You have such a way with words that I don’t see in other yt look backs at this film.

[@TotemoGaijin]

I enjoyed the movie version of Wizard of Oz, until my mom introduced the books to me as a teenager, and then I was like, "Oh...that movie kinda sucked." Even Return to Oz isn't super faithful, but its still a better take on Baum's world than that was.

[@BMask]

I don't trust teenagers

[@MrTwentington]

Return to Oz is one of my comfort movies. People look at me like I should have electro shock therapy when I say that and I’m like I can’t explain why it’s just this movie is the equivalent of a warm blanket on a rainy day to me. Does it have elements of melancholy and horror? Yeah. Is it a jaunty musical defining cinema for almost a century like wizard of Oz? No. And I love it all the same. I don’t dislike wizard of Oz, I have only read a few of the books but I’m more likely to just put on return to Oz when I want to feel comforted.

[@Lonestarz95]

8:00 only my dude B-mask would know about Zoombeanies. Truly a man of good taste. 👍🏽

[@BMask]

MAKE ME A PIZZA (

[@bellboy7809]

What a lovely video. Thanks for surprise me again! Always great to be surprised, gives me something new to sit and think on! :)

[@rigorgrynn]

This should have been in my feed 2 days ago, screw you KZbin. Bmask deserves better.

[@HiHoKermitTheFrogHere]

9:15 Moving right along in search of good times and good news. With good friends you can't loose. It may become a habit.

[@BMask]

Duggu-dun Duggu-dun

[@gnbman]

Best movie. Near perfect. Haven't even watched this video, but I'm gonna. I'm just _that_ glad to see that you covered this piece of art history.

[@NCTStudio]

RIP Brian Henson. He brought Jack to life

[@Johnlindsey289]

Brian is alive

[@catimari7879]

i'm so glad this popped up in my recommended. return to oz has been a very cherished movie of mine ever since i saw it. i'd always really liked the original, had fond memories of it, but the way this movie had such a different tone to the almost stage-like production before it made me so intrigued, and seeing the characters from other books tie into it , and HOW they tied them in, was perfect and i was obsessed. thank you for making such a sound case as to why this film has so much life and is so underappreciated !!!!

[@newcreature222]

I love this film so much even if it deemed underrated by people who don’t see it genius beyond their view of Oz and how you have to scratch beyond the surface to find its messages of fighting for what you love, never give up your voice and creativity, and always the power of friendship,🌈💚🌪

[@crimsonDestroyer]

My favorite Oz adaptation will always be The Wizard of Oz: Beyond the Yellow Brick road, the Nintendo DS JRPG. It's a very silly concept, but it's got extremely strong nostalgia value for me. There's a reason the OC in my avatar is visually based on Cat Hoods, the generic NPCs from the game.

[@Gibbypastrami]

I did a project on claymation in 8th grade, this movie was at the center of it, made a claymation myself featuring the characters, im also sitting playing with my custom Tik tok action figure inspired by Glenn Webbs video on customizing his own! He passed away in 2016, he had a great channel 😢

[@mathieuleader8601]

the claymation is superb

[@joshelderkin9592]

Im so happy to see sombody talking about how hopeful this movie is

[@nathanmarkel3390]

B-Mask made me a Fantastic Four fan in 2 hours, and now made me interested in looking into the Oz books. Great video!

[@dcbandit]

I like my fantasy dark and creepy with warm undertones. It's why I love Majora's Mask and Return to OZ, both catch that feel wonderfully! I also wish there was more dark fantasies with a whimsical undertone...

[@evanmak7837]

I watched this movie as an adult. The wheelers, Mombi and the Nome king were terrifying to me, but it got me interested in the lore of Oz. As for the scary parts, there is a reason goosebumps was my favorite series growing up. Kids love getting scared. I still find the practical effects terrifying but in a very charming way. Not to mention Dorothy and Ozma's casting being spot on. What a great film.

[@davidhudson3534]

Thank you for acknowledging the soundtrack and that amazing ragtime march. The Emerald City finale is absolutely a 1901 fantasy utopia.

[@Zaika_plays]

Thank you for this! This movie is one of my favorites from my childhood and it still holds up. It’s creepy, sure, but there’s a reason for it and we get the pay off when we see the redemption of Oz. I love it!

[@Neyebureturns]

A great video about a great movie. Is really a shame that so many people took the wrong lesson of this movie and it seems that this was one of the last good and faithful adaptation of the Oz series, with all future adaptations wanting to be darker, edgy or to create their own Wicked. PD Would love to know your full opinion about Wicked, book and musical 😉

[@avalondegray9228]

Surprisingly I was the opposite of scared when it came to the Wheelers, I thought they were attractive as a kid. Loved the skating and colorfull outfits

[@sglenny001]

This is still my favourite video off yours

[@iBenjamin1000]

I'm going to cry this is such a thoughtful analysis of oz. I've never even seen the movies

[@seeleunit2000]

I definitely enjoyed this movie as a child. Even more so than the 1930s version of The wizard of Oz. Who are the costumes in the 1930s version were pretty good, and some of the set pieces were pretty awesome, but I like this movie more

[@johnnehrich9601]

The very first book I ever read was Ozma of Oz, an old copy my mother had, dating back to the 1920's, and containing the original drawings. Henrietta, the lunch pail tree, the wheelers, Tik-Tok (perhaps the first robot in literature), the ability to change heads, Jack Pumpkinhead, and of course the Gump. (Some of these came via Land of Oz.) I LOVE this movie as it is the closest - I think - the feel of the original books. I also am in awe of how they blended the Kansas humans winding up in Oz in the MGM version with a real life Oz, by in this case have the Oz characters foreshadowed in Kansas. And how they blended the two books so seamlessly. And yes, the books are pretty graphic and gory at spots, but then so was life itself to children growing up a century ago. I really appreciate your comments and overall dissection.

[@FuzzyKayna]

I grew up with this movie and I loved it. I loved a lot of the "dark and scary" kids films of the time (Neverending Story comes to mind). I may not have understood all the themes and nuance at the time but I loved the journey and the darkness generally ended with the sunrise.

[@bweepy]

This is my favorite video on this movie period, and honestly I can say it's the best analysis of the movie I've ever seen. Thank you so much for the time you took to research, compile, and share your passion for this movie and highlight the amount of passion it's filled with that a lot of people can't seem to appreciate

[@animefan77]

26:20- plus adapting Mombi as just another crone isn't interesting as it's just a repeat of both the personality/iconography the Wicked Witch of the West with her own much less versatile powerset (transforming into other things and the Powder of Life) isn't threatening on its own and it requires additional threats like an army (both the women army in the books and the green elephants in the Journey back to Oz) to be a bigger deal. Princess Langwidere's addition to the character adds this inherent unease that the original book from Ozma of Oz did, but more intentional than the half-hearted whims of a self-indulgant royal. Mombi becomes a true monster that doesn't just threaten Dorothy's life, but a vital aspect of her identity- removing her head to be added to her collection of living heads, with the heads having their own individuality repressed to be an extension of Mombi's will, the purpose being an over-the-top attempt of shallow vanity hiding a colossal inferiority complex- her true head being placed in non-transparent mirror case placed haphazardly with assorted magical items while the other heads are placed on pristine pedestals like a gallery. Adding depth to the villain without making it obvious. Also the concept of a pretty woman being revealed to be a literal head-hunting monster whose current state is a headless monster that swaps heads depending on whims and plans on taking more heads is a nightmarishly uncanny valley concept that adds a unique terrior compared to just another wicked hag.

[@NeptuneCactus]

I literally just sat down for my lunch break and the notification arrived! Awesome!

[@matthewtrujillo7228]

I rewatched this movie after seeing this video and I'm honestly surprised how not scary it felt. Like the wheelers are creepy but the fear factor is gone once Tik Tok shows up. The Nome King is intimidating but aside from his final scene isn't really scary. The only truly freaky bit is when Dorothy finds Mombi's head and even her fear factor is gone when the Nome King is pushing her around. I get that I'm an adult but I don't recall being particularly scared of this movie when I was a kid.

[@psychomammoth9640]

5:17 check out Rifftrax’s run of the return to Oz film, very funny.

[@KaminoKatie]

I haven't seen this movie until I watched it on Disney+ with my aunt while my mom and sister went to the state zoo last summer, glad that I get to see it as an adult tbh (The 1939 film has such a deathgrip on OZ adaptations in the US though)

[@DirtiestDMusic]

12:28 Ah, foreshadowing the other Return. I've never seen this movie in full, but now I'll have to check it out on D+.

[@DirtiestDMusic]

Update: I liked it! I was especially impressed by Will Vinton's work. I probably wouldn't have enjoyed it as a child, but watching it as an adult with the context provided by this video helped me appreciate it.

[@orangeslash1667]

@@DirtiestDMusic There's a video that explains Will's History. kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5fUh55um86sZ9E

[@MegapiemanPHD]

Return to Oz is one of those great peices of childrens media that doesn't talk down to them or treat them like idiots.

[@markk6060]

It’s surprising how the critics remember the original as fun and light hearted, it had plenty of scary moments. Return was fantastic imo

[@stinkbanana2522]

Great video, keep it up bud. Channel deserves a lot more subs than it has with the quality of your videos. Keep it up, you'll be big in no time.

[@cybergord2016]

One of my favorate movies. My kids watch it. They love it too. I don't know why it gets so much bad press.

[@brianblast391]

Another amazing video dude you always make stuff that hits the happy spot on my brain. Had no idea that marvel made an Oz adaptation so me and my girlfriend and are gonna start reading that asap

[@Peweskimooxy]

Oh that was lovely :) I'm very glad I had the chance to watch "Return to Oz" last year, not only just to see it, but also so I could get so much out of this review! Thanks, that was wonderful!

[@fawfulmark2]

It's nice to see someone who make a video going over the merits & values of Return to Oz + it's contributions to respecting the books while also *NOT* trying to downplay the importance and impact of the MGM film and it's merits to the history of Oz. Most other discussions/podcasts I tend to see have a hint of bitterness sometimes, probably connected to how the Garland film has been absorbed so deeply into the public consciousness that it overshadowed the books and future adaptations, to the point when most of these folks get visibly furious if they ever use red/ruby slippers instead of Silver ones, But the thing is that the 1939 film was a love letter to the near 40 years of Oz adaptations beforehand(even saying as much in the opening paragrph of the movie!) borrowing elements from them all be it Glinda using snow from a Stage play or the grayish Kansas turning into the technicolor Oz from a 1933 animation, along with the books. Return to Oz did much the same, being a tribute to both the literary work but also acknowledging bits from the MGM film like the ambiguity of reality/dreams, the rteal world character parallels and so forth(which is why those more ardent fans wishing there was a "Silver Slipper Cut" kinda miss the point there.) It's just good to see someone who respects both fully and not trying to put one over the other. I'm desperate to see a more accurate translation of the Famous Forty as much as anyone else, but we have dozens, nay hundreds of branches/adaptations/reimaginings of the story by now that we should not solely ignore the merits of some works for not having dead accurate pieces all the time. Oz at this point has basically become Greek Myth in a way then.

[@BMask]

Really appreciate this comment. I feel exactly the same, especially as it feels like a bitter overcorrection by fans to the way Return to Oz was rejected by a generation who loved the MGM film. There's absolutely place for both, and if anyone has actually seen Baum's own film adaptations, I think they'd realise he'd very likely have felt the same way.