THE MUPPETS’ WIZARD OF OZ

US, 2005, 100 minutes, Colour.
Ashanti, Jeffrey Tambour, Quentin Tarantino, David Allen Greer, Queen Latifah and voices of Steve Whitmeyer, Dave Goelz, Bill Barretta, Eric Jacobsen, Brian Henson.
Directed by Kirk R. Thatcher.

For many devotees of the Muppets, this film might be something of a surprise and a disappointment. On the other hand, for those who have liked the Muppets for years and have travelled with them over the decades, it will be enjoyable seeing them in a 2005 adaptation of a popular story as well as an extended program just as in the old days. The Muppets had appeared in the 80s in their own movies like The Muppet Movie and The Muppets Take Manhattan. In the 90s they had their own Muppets’ Treasure Island as well as Muppets’ Christmas Carol and Muppets From Space. Eventually, they found their niche with these shows and adaptations of popular movies and stories on television.

The film uses the basic plot of the Wizard of Oz with which most audiences are familiar. This time, however, Dorothy is played by singer Ashanti. Aunt Em and Uncle Harry are played by Queen Latifah and David Allen Greer. The setting is Kansas but when the tornado hits as Dorothy is searching for her prawn (a dog was too expensive!), she has been dreaming of becoming a popular star in Hollywood, a celebrated singer.

In Oz, she meets the usual characters, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Lion. They have various adventures encountering the witches and going into Munchkinland. After surviving the encounters with the witches, they eventually get to Oz. There the Wizard is unmasked as a fake, a star from Hollywood who has his television show. The usual moral is made, while the Wizard can give gifts, the people wanting to be singers, brains, hearts and courage have these qualities within them. The film ends, of course, back in Kansas, Dorothy reconciled with her uncle and aunt who allow her to go off to be a star because she will always be at home with them. The moral of the Wizard of Oz is still valid in its affirming way.

Where the film is entertaining is in the fact that the cast of Oz are the Muppets themselves – all the familiar figures from the 70s onwards. It is a great opportunity to see them all again, especially as they act their roles. Kermit is the Scarecrow, Fozzie Bear is the Lion, the Great Gonzo is the Tin Man. They go through all the familiar characteristics of these roles with their search for brain, courage and heart.

The witches are all played by Miss Piggy herself – who gets the opportunity to voice all the arrogant and self-satisfied statements that we are used to. The Munchkins are played by the rats. There is also a cast of monkey-bikers.

Another advantage of the Muppets being the cast for the episodes in Oz is that all the familiar characters are there once again in different guises. Dr Bunsen is the manipulator of the effects for the Wizard. Dr Teeth and the Swedish Chef also appear, as does Sam the Eagle in his censorious role. Scooter, Janice and the band are all present. While the film may delight newer audiences, there is a touch of nostalgia for older audiences familiar with the Muppets seeing all the characters in their roles.

Ashanti is a touch awkward as Dorothy – and it was difficult for her to act everything with the puppets. Entertaining is Jeffrey Tambour as the Wizard. Queen Latifah and David Allen Greer obviously enjoy themselves as Uncle Henry and Aunt Em. A bonus for trendy audiences is the appearance of Quentin Tarantino who has a discussion with Kermit about the violent elements in the film, poking fun at Tarantino-like violence.

While the film may not satisfy purists, it is an entertaining opportunity to remember the points of the Wizard of Oz and to see the Muppets act the characters.