Surprisingly Impressed

Rating: Null/10 (28 February 2003)

Like most people on Planet Earth who aren't six feet under, I grew up watching The Wizard of Oz as a child. To this day I have never read the book. I enjoyed the movie, but it really had its biggest impact on me as an adult. Before, it was just a family film that I would watch with my cousins every year.
I watched it a few years ago out of curiosity more than anything, expecting to cringe at how corny it would be. But I was actually amazed at how realistic the movie feels.
First of all, I don't like musicals as a general rule but I didn't mind this movie at all. The songs were quite good actually.
The actors were completely believable for the most part. I know some people think they were a bit over the top. But I don't remember thinking that. Judy Garland, at least plays the part of Dorothy perfectly well (remember, I haven't read the book) and is easy to connect with (very important for the main character). I heard from someone that they were considering Shirley Temple for the part but she was under contract with someone else and they wouldn't let her be in it. And I heard that she was crushed so they put her in a fantasy movie of her own called The Blue Bird (I haven't seen it).
The sets were really good. Although you can tell they are just sets, they're done so well that it still feels right anyway. I can't believe that Gone With the Wind won Best Art Direction over this movie. Wizard of Oz should have at least won an oscar for that. I think it got Best Song for Over the Rainbow and that was all!
Another thing that makes this movie great is it's ability to be heart warming and scary. I was waiting for the Wicked Witch to appear thinking that I'd crack a smile at how silly she was. But to be perfectly honest, she was quite intimidating. She wasn't silly at all and she was very mean and threatening in every scene she was in. I couldn't understand it. This old woman with a green face was completely nasty and horrible without actually physically killing or torturing anyone throughout the entire film. Let's see a modern movie villain pull that off! The movie gets particularly suspensful when they get to the castle.
I also liked how Dorothy's companions all have the traits that they're searching for. The Tin Man who doesn't have a heart is a big softy who's always crying; the Scarecrow who supposedly doesn't have a brain is always coming up with the good ideas; but the problem is that the Lion really is a coward! I suppose someone will say that true courage is facing danger when you're afraid of it blah, blah, blah.....but I remember one scene where the Lion actually runs away and jumps out the window. And he also gets more songs than the others too. Oh well, a cowardly lion is more amusing than a brave one I guess.
I think this movie is really for adults more than kids. Oh, kids will like it, of course. But there are levels of depth in it that only an adult can relate to (that's what I think). I had to keep myself from getting teary eyed when Dorothy was trapped in the tower with the crystal ball and I don't remember being affected by this scene like that when I was little.
I'm sure everyone who reads this review has probably seen this movie a trillion times. But if you haven't, I highly recommend it. And this recommendation is coming from a guy who usually won't watch a movie unless it has a broadsword or a machine gun in it......or a vampire.