Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Kids will like well-intentioned sequel, but it lacks magic.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
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Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 7 parent reviews
Based on 11 kid reviews
Kids say that the movie features great songs but falls short with a convoluted plot and unmotivated characters, leaving many disappointed compared to the original. While some appreciate its messages of courage, others find it disjointed and too dark for young audiences, citing inappropriate scenes that could scare younger viewers.
- great songs
- confusing plot
- dark themes
- unsuitable for kids
- lack of character development
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Dorothy (voiced by Lea Michele) is back in tornado-struck Kansas, but not for long: Her Oz friends -- the Scarecrow (Dan Aykroyd), the (no longer) Cowardly Lion (James Belushi), and the Tin Man (Kelsey Grammer) -- need her help. The brother of the Wicked Witch, called the Jester (Martin Short), has imprisoned Glinda (Bernadette Peters) and turned her into a marionette, taking the magic broomstick and all its powers with him. Now Dorothy must find her old friends (who have also fallen prey to the Jester's evil plans) with the help of new ones: Wiser the Owl (Oliver Platt), Marshall Mallow (Hugh Dancy), China Princess (Megan Hilty), and Tugg the tugboat (Patrick Stewart). But it's no easy feat: The Jester is formidable, and the flying monkeys are angrier than ever.
Is It Any Good?
Like the edible wonders of Candy County, LEGENDS OF OZ: DOROTHY RETURNS is sweet, and it means well. But will it achieve the icon status of its legendary predecessor? Not likely. For one thing, the story is a retread of the original, with Dorothy picking up a different motley crew on her way back to the Emerald City. For fans of the original Wizard of Oz, that will either feel like an homage or a decided lack of originality. And the songs aren't nearly as compelling or memorable, aside from a catchy duet sparked by the budding romance between Marshall Mallow and the China Princess. (As an aside, given how sarcastic and superficial she is, it's a puzzling flirtation, though she does ultimately become more pleasant.)
The sidekicks from the original story -- the Lion, the Tin Man, and the Scarecrow -- aren't given much to work with, and we miss them, especially given the talented voice actors who portray them. But at least we get lots of Martin Short, who's fantastic. And the animation, while not up to Pixar standards, bathes the film in nostalgic glow. Keep expectations in check, and you'll enjoy the film for what it is: a harmless return to Oz.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return compares to the original Wizard of Oz. Is it as scary? Scarier? Why? How does the fact that this movie is animated (versus the original's live action) affect the impact of the more frightening scenes/creatures?
Dorothy makes new friends on this adventure. Are they similar to or different than the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Lion? What are the lessons she learns this time around? Are they different from the original?
Should some movies be left alone without a sequel? Or is it fun to see Dorothy's story continue?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 9, 2014
- On DVD or streaming : August 26, 2014
- Cast : Hugh Dancy , Patrick Stewart , Lea Michele
- Directors : Dan St. Pierre , Will Finn
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Clarius Entertainment
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Book Characters , Friendship
- Run time : 88 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some scary images and mild peril
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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