When Fairuza Bulk stepped into the role of Dorothy Gale, she was determined not to be Judy Garland but in a smaller package. And in a way, her charming, slightly alarming, and touched innocence make her the perfect Dorothy and later the perfect twisted Nancy for the Craft. And the world that Fairuza Dorothy constructs or visits in the way of Oz is just as off-putting yet alluring, mechanical and maniacal and vengeful and safe.
Return to Oz is the best kind of fairy tale- edging up to that line of creepy darkness with inexplicable wonder. This unofficial sequel to the 1939 sugar sweet MGM fare is really more a spiritual prequel to Wicked the book or the sci-fi Tin Man miniseries and especially John is in love with the vibes.
From the grotesque and frightening Wheelers to the eccentricities of Mombi to talking hens that weren't there a minute ago and are just part of life now- Return to Oz asks the question- can you meet a movie on its own terms or are you too cool for fantasy?
