LogFAQs > #932985819

KBM - Why I Chose It: Loosely adapted from the 1974 hit Broadway musical of the same name, which itself was loosely adapted from the original L. Frank Baum novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, this film, starring major black stars of the '70s including Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, and Richard Pryor, was a big enough flop upon release that it has been credited with marking the end of the blaxpoitation era of filmmaking. It was directed by noted white auteur Sidney Lumet, known for such classics as 12 Angry Men, Network, and Dog Day Afternoon, and adapted for the screen by noted white screenwriter Joel Schumacher, known for movies like The Lost Boys, Flatliners, and more notoriously the likes of The Number 23 and Batman and Robin. In more recent years the film has become known as a cult classic, but despite its four Academy Award nominations, its critical outlook remains mixed at best.

My Thoughts: This is a downright painful movie to watch, and it's a real shame, considering how genuinely great the source material is. NBC's The Wiz Live! is a much more faithful, much better adaptation of this material, and for my money is by far the best thing to come out of the recent live musicals on TV resurgence so even if you didn't like this movie, I'd recommend checking that out if you haven't seen it. As for this movie, though, it just... drags. First of all, Diana Ross is crazily miscast in the part of Dorothy, being way too old for the role, and her musical numbers (many of which were added for the film) are among the very worst songs in the movie. Plus, Sidney Lumet doesn't seem to have any clue how to film a musical, opting for boring long takes from far away that show off the impressively expansive and detailed (if a bit too bleak and grungy-looking) production design, but take a lot away from the energy of the story and the performances. There are a few highlights, especially at the end, courtesy of Mabel King's showstopping performance as Evilline, and whenever the movie just allows itself to enjoy the production numbers, things can get fun for awhile. But you're way, way better off watching the original musical, or the aforementioned television adaptation thereof, which was adapted by people who had a much better handle on what made the show work in the first place.

Favorite Song: Don't Nobody Bring Me No Bad News

Scarlet - All of the money goes into some admittedly nice cameo appearances, but nothing went into vocal equalization, set design, choreography, or writing. Hell, my high school had more lavish set designs. And thats when they put on Schindlers List. The Wiz is one of those nostalgia bombs that seems to have latched onto peoples souls like a parasite. Those people need to have their heads examined. Sesame Street, crafts better products daily than The Wiz.
Best Song: Ease on Down the Road