The Witches of OZ (2011/Image Entertainment Blu-ray)
Picture:
C Sound: C Extras: C Main Program: B+
Dorothy
Gale was just a girl from Kansas
on her way to the big apple for the chance of her lifetime, a chance for her
own books to debut. Little does she know
her dreams, her inspirations to write her story is closer to the truth than she
knows, that actually the Land
of OZ exists and that she
was the original Dorothy of OZ. Now
hidden in her memories lies the key to unlocking the book that has the magic
word to control OZ, but Dorothy is not the only one after the key, The Wicked
Witch of the West has plans to not only get the key to control OZ, but all of
the human world as well in Leigh Scott’s The Witches of OZ (2011)
All Dorothy Gale wanted was to get her book published. Based on the land magical land of OZ,
which her Grandfather created she discover her stories are more than just
fantasy and fiction, they are actually her memories she discovers a world of
magic creatures, spells and dangers. As
she struggles to understand her past, she unlocks the magical key that could
spell their doom or salvation. Fortunately
for her, she is not alone, her friends from OZ has also been reincarnated in
the human realm and will lend a helping hand to fight The Witch and her evil
forces. New York will never be the same again...
Originally produced in 2.35 X 1 framing for a theatrical release, this is loosely
based on Frank L. Baum’s Wizard of Oz
books (of course), that Dorothy is the guardian of a magical key to unlock the
ultimate power of OZ, but after growing up in the human realm and forgetting
everything about OZ, a grown-up Dorothy must fight her evil
witch/agent/publisher to save the human world. Sold to TV and shown as a mini-series, this variation
features a cast of superstars with Christopher Lloyd as the Wizard (Back to the Future), Billy Boyd and Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings). It
featured a lot of comical one-liners referencing various popular movies
these various actors had been in before. The CGI however could of been better, it was
at the level of PlayStation 2 CGI quality, but does include Jim Henson puppet
and costume work.
Later
issued in a few theaters after being
show on TV, the 2.35 X 1 scope frame has been chopped off at the sides to fit a
1080p 1.78 X 1 digital High Definition presentation that is a disaster and
mess, ruining composition and whatever visually might have worked. It was also shot with an older RED ONE HD
camera, making it look additionally dated.
What were they thinking? The
DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 5.1 lossless mix is also weak and underwhelming and
should sound better than this in the digital age, despite the low budget. The combination result is one of the weakest
Blu-rays for a recent new release we have encountered of late, which is too bad
since I enjoyed it so much. Extras
include behind the scenes with writer/director and trailer.
- Ricky Chiang
