User Reviews

"There's no place like home! There's no place like home! There's no ..., oh, forget it! There's nothing like pop stardom! There's nothing like pop stardom!"

The simple philosophy of embracing home and family that is the hallmark of "The Wizard of Oz" is pretty much forced off the Yellow Brick Road in this sorrowful and shallow attempt to make the Muppets hip and cool and contemporary -- overlooking the fact that the Muppets have always been hip and cool and contemporary without ever really having to strive for it.

At first, the idea of Kermit and Company doing their version of the L. Frank Baum material sounds promising, at least until you learn that for some unfathomable reason that Quentin Tarantino is in the cast. Tarantino's meaningless little cameo is so irrelevant, so unnecessary, so brief and so unfunny that it was hardly worth filming in the first place. But when he does drop in, playing himself and offering suggestions about how to turn this family film into a KILL BILL-style blood bath, you can only cringe at the inappropriateness of the supposed humor and the dubious desire by the filmmakers to make this film seem edgy. The attempt doesn't work here anymore than it did when Jim Henson tried to give us edgier Muppets on "Saturday Night Live."

I can only assume that Ashanti is under contract to the recording arm of Disney, the new owners of the Muppet empire, for otherwise there can be no logical reason for casting her as Dorothy Gale, the small town girl from Kansas (unless, of course, the film is trying to cater to the incredibly large African American population in that state!) While she is nowhere near as being unbearably awful as Diana Ross was in Sidney Lumet's lamentable fiasco, THE WIZ, Ashanti doesn't bring anything of particular interest to the role either, not even status as a pop icon; she's not even a major talent, let alone a major star. But when the film begins with a faux music video featuring the singer, it is made clear that the film exists mainly as an elaborate exercise in corporate synergy.

In true subversive Muppet fashion, OZ mangles the source material; sometime slavishly adhering to Baum's story and sometimes just being silly. Though reduced to mere supporting roles, Kermit, Gonzo and Fozie play the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion, respectively, with Miss Piggy playing four different witches. So far, so good. But having Toto being portrayed as a talking shrimp -- and a hustling, greedy, Latino shrimp -- seems less wacky than just uncomfortably weird in its odd mix of political correctness and racism. Indeed, wacky is exactly what is missing here. The ability to mix the endearingly sincere with the engagingly silly is what made "The Muppet Show" and the early Muppet movies work so beautifully. These OZ jokes seem contrived, not cheerfully anarchic and inane. This trip down the Yellow Brick Road is sadly goofy-free.

The fragile integrity of OZ comes crashing down as it approaches its traditional finale, only to suddenly veer off course to reveal that Kansas really is Nowheresville and fame, fortune and pop stardom is really where it's at. There is something coldly disheartening about a happily-ever-after ending where loved ones aren't reunited, but separated by the shallow glory of a TV screen. The message seems to be "Forget your own backyard! Go where the big bucks are! We can always catch you on TV." So much for warmth and sentimentality.

Premiering on TV as an obvious pit stop en route to the lucrative home video market, THE MUPPETS' WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ seems to be yet another attempt by Disney to rip-off their own classic icons with cheap ready-for-video knockoffs. Like the supposed sequels to PETER PAN, THE JUNGLE BOOK and THE LITTLE MERMAID, the intent is to make it cheap, make it fast and cash in quick. The result is not a work of inspiration, but a work of desperation.

SPOILERS

I do not know what exactly to give it. It was a fun version of the classic the Wizard of Oz, but yet there were moments that were unbearable to watch. This would be a good film to give a six, but yet there were some scenes that could be a nine or eight. Meh, six will have to do. Anyway, this is a nice and fun adaption of the delightful story, and there were also pop culture references, such as the Dark Side Of The Moon reference. I think you know what I mean.

Here is the plot of this made-for-TV movie. It is pretty obvious what the plot is. It is basically the story of the Wizard of Oz with the Muppets in it. Dorothy gets whisked away to Oz with her prawn. She goes on a journey to find the Wizard of Oz for she wants to become a famous singer. Then, the plot is pretty much the original Wizard of Oz. However, the Flying Monkeys were a biker gang and it was not a dream.

Overall, this is an average made-for-TV movie. Also, even though it was totally unnecessary, I liked Quentin Tarantino's cameo when Dorothy fights the Wicked Witch of the West. It was completely unnecessary and totally random but it was still funny. I still want to know why the Flying Monkeys were a biker gang. This is not the Wiz! Anyway, there are some petty differences from this and the novel, not to mention the movie, but it should not be just like the original.

6/10

Recommended Films: The Wizard Of Oz (Obviously)

After "The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland," Muppets has sure gone downhill, and this new movie just strengthens that conviction. I am a big fan of the Muppets, but this movie just is not premium Muppet material. Instead, it feels as if Disney has sold out the Muppets in order to cater to the ever-changing trend in the entertainment industry.

The plot is not well done at all. Any parallels between this movie and the Wizard of Oz are either too obvious or too subtle to comfortably enjoy. The portrayal of the Wicked Witch of the West as a biker chick may be original, but it was not very entertaining. In fact, the best parts of the movie are the ones that have nothing to do with the actual plot. As I watch it, I feel none of the interest and pathos that I feel when I watch the original musical.

Ashanti's performance of Dorothy lacked any sort of character, and I found Dorothy to be very one-dimensional. The Muppets themselves did not perform badly, I protest only about some character roles like Ms. Piggy's Wiked Biker Chick. The presentation of the Wizard was utterly strange and vexes me. Quentin Tarantino's short appearance is a humorous respite from what otherwise is not an entertaining movie.

I found that for some reason, this does not feel like a family movie. Muppets wholesomeness seems to have gone out of the window as Gonzo makes comments about his nipples, Ashanti mentions that her shoes make her feel sexy, and the sheer level of violence has increased. The latter is not particularly concerning, as the Muppets have always had a certain level of slapstick about them, but in combination with the other two examples and more, I feel that the entire movie was not appropriate for family-viewing at all.

You've ruined the Muppets, Disney. I hope you are happy.

I hate this movie. It sucks. Let's go.

Dorothy works at her diner in Kansas and dreams of being a star. She gives the Muppets her demo CD after missing the opportunity of auditioning for them, but still worries about leaving Kansas. She wants to become a sensation and sing. However, she and her neighborhood find themselves in danger when a tornado hits, and it blows her, her pet shrimp, and her trailer home away. They find themselves in the magical land of Oz where they find rats in hats, magical wizards, a scarecrow, a T.I.N. thing, and a lion.

Let's start with the good things. First of all, Queen Latifah's here. To be fair, that's not saying much because she really doesn't bring much. But have you ever had that actor/actress that's so awesome, their presence makes the production a bit more awesome? That's Queen Latifah. Secondly, the scene with Kermit and Quentin Tarantino...Yeah, that scene is hilarious! Third, there's a joke Statler and Waldorf make about Fozzie in this film. It's not at all the funniest thing they've said, but this movie is so bad that it stands out as a highlight! Also, OK, David Alan Grier can be entertaining half the time he's here, but I'm mostly rooting when I see the closing credits. So I guess there's four and a half good things about this movie.

So what sucks about this movie? EVERYTHING ELSE! I'll try to be brief: Let's start with the 2 bozos who ruin this movie: Ashanti & Pepe! First of all, Ashanti: WHO GAVE HER PERMISSION TO ACT?!? I guess it works in a film like "Coach Carter" because she played an urban teenager, and she has an urban style already. Here in a what's supposed to be family movie (it's not at all a family movie), it doesn't work! Half the time she's on screen, I just hear her saying "I'm trying to act, please excuse me." My younger brother and I laugh and overdub her lines by making references to her poor acting in this film (try it, it's hilarious). Secondly, Pepe. You've read in my last review of "Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie" that I hate Pepe. For as annoying as he was in that movie, I can tolerate him so much more in that film than in this film! This is the film that really makes me hate him! He's not charming, he's not cute, he's not lovable, he's not anything you'd love in another Muppet! When he's not making inappropriate adult jokes, he's making awkward moments by delivering what the writers and producers wanted to be a funny line, but is actually just stupid and annoying! AND WHY IS HE TOTO?!? You really had to put him in the movie, so you gave Dorothy a pet shrimp instead of a dog?!? (I know he's a king prawn; I'm choosing to disrespect him by calling him a shrimp!)

The choice to make Dorothy a superficial, star gazed teenager is stupid! It takes away from the original story; why change her motivation? The original Dorothy was a lot more innocent, likable, and relatable. The choice to make Toto a shrimp...whatever, I talked about that already. The ending is stupid! Aunt Em says to her (and I'm paraphrasing), "After our house blew away, I realized that it doesn't matter where you sing because you're always home in our hearts."...So, after your niece flies away in a tornado, an instance in which most people would die, you say it's alright if she sings because she's in your heart? YOU JUST LOST YOUR CHILD AND YOUR HOME; WHY IS HER SINGING CAREER ON YOUR MIND?!?!

And, just like Pepe and his connection to the last Muppet production, there are even more uncomfortable adult jokes here. They reference a pornographic company, Pepe plays with Gonzo's nipples, and Gonzo gets aroused by a poorly animated chicken. Not only is this film full of bad acting by Ashanti, annoying lines from Pepe, pointless adaptations of the original "Wizard of Oz" story, and painful adult jokes, but a lot of these scenes are distasteful! The scene where Kermit and Gonzo are literally destroyed is scary!! And they try to make up for it by forcing a "likable" scene right after that - and it doesn't work!! That seems to be the pattern of this movie: distasteful scene/moment, followed by a forced tasteful scene/moment that really isn't all that tasteful!

This is my second least favorite movie EVER (my first being "The Cat in the Hat" - THAT'S RIGHT! This is up there with Mike Myers as The Cat in the Hat!)! The music is annoying, the animation and graphics are terrible, and it's not charming or entertaining or likable! It's a slap in the face to the original "Wizard of Oz" story, and it's a slap in the face to Jim Henson's Muppets. This was the first production the Muppets released after they were bought by the Walt Disney Company; the fact that they're owned by Disney still burns my hind, but the knowing that they produced this is just punishment and sickening! This movie sucks, and if you have any sense whatsoever, you'd avoid it at all costs! BOOYIKA!

The Muppets' Wonderful Wizard of Oz was very cute and the kids and I enjoyed it a lot. Ashanti may not be the best actress in the world, but she came across as sweet and sincere and now she can count my 3 kids as her newest fans. The muppets were great, although the voices were a bit off compared to my memory (example, Sam the Eagle sounded "gruff and tuff", not regal and patriotic as he used to sound). That is to be expected though and is one of those things that happen as time goes on, starting with the death of Jim Henson and the aging and replacements of other original muppetteers). The twist on the traditional story was very cute, sweet enough for the little kids with just a bit of warped humour thrown in for the adults. (Spoiler - the "Flying Monkeys" was a motorcycle gang that was originally a group of "motorcycle enthusiasts". )

This movie was a complete waste of an hour and a half. While some of the other Muppet movies followed the book in at least some way, this film just decided to take the name and use barely anything from the original concept, of either the film or the book. The entire premise of the movie was changed, the voices of Miss Piggy and Fozzy sounded exactly the same (yes I know they are done by the same person but differentiate a little), Ashanti needs to find a new profession as she can neither sing nor act in this movie, and...there are no words. I am a true blue Wizard of Oz fan and a dedicated Muppet fan, but this movie was upsetting from the moment it opened with a music video until it ended with her singing AGAIN! The songs were hardly memorable and the audio was funky and it didn't allow you to hear everything that was said. Perhaps it was the theater, but I don't think so. One of the pluses of the movie was Pepe the Shrimp as Toto the Crawfish (have you had enough yet?) The only thing I can say is that you should not watch this movie unless there is absolutely nothing else on TV and you can't get a root canal.

This movie is inappropriate for kids. Approximately five times characters refer to wanting to feel "sexy." There's also a cgi sequence that is overtly sexual and completely inappropriate. Recently Katy Perry received a lashing for her duet with Elmo, but that was mild compared to the cleavage that's shown here. Ashanti's acting and singing is horrible, and her quest to become a star is shallow. The usual lovable characters (muppets/WOZ) are forgettable. This Disney movie does not do the muppets justice. This movie seemed slow and we simply couldn't finish it. My son actually did like the shrimp instead of a dog as Toto because it was an original muppet character, and actually had a few funny scenes.

I want to make clear that this crap is a complete disgrace to Jim Henson. Shame on his kids, Brian and Lisa (?), and shame on Disney. Jim always took great pride in his work, ensuring that it was educational, fun, inspirational, and original. This movie is none of the above.