The Muppets' Wizard of Oz (2005)

One's first reaction after reading this film's cast list is: what is Quentin Tarantino doing in a Muppet movie?! Find the answer at the bottom of this review. This, then, follows on from the vastly superior MUPPETS Christmas CAROL (1992) and MUPPETS TREASURE ISLAND (1996) in adapting classic children's stories to suit the popular Jim Henson creations. Its relegation to TV – where it was even shorn of some 20 minutes – suggests the enterprise's intrinsic poverty: Kermit, Gonzo and Fuzzy are cramped inside the pre-ordained figures of Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion respectively (and the same goes for Rizzo as the leader of the Munchkins), while Miss Piggy is all over the place by playing all four Witches in L. Frank Baum's tale! Toto the dog is here incarnated in the prawn character from The Muppet Show: though it seems a highly unlikely choice, his laidback personality and hip quips prove the film's highlight in the long run. Dorothy, too, is a black wannabe entertainer (played by real-life 'superstar singer' Ashanti, with Queen Latifah as her aunt) – didn't they know the tale had already received a Blaxploitation makeover with THE WIZ (1978)? In keeping with the overall blandness of the thing, the songs are no great shakes but tolerable enough in themselves. To get back to that 'genius of modern American cinema', Tarantino appears briefly as himself (he seems to have resigned himself to the fact that the only way he can give a convincing interpretation is by playing Tarantino!) – still riding high on the wave of his KILL BILL success, he enthusiastically 'sells' a producer his personal (and typically flashy) approach to the climactic showdown between Dorothy and The Wicked Witch Of The West.

Jim, Jim, wherefore art thou, Jim! I have to say this was the first time I was genuinely disappointed by any Muppet movie. This was nothing more than a tribute to the next little pop star, Ashanti, and it made it feel like a selling out of all things Muppet. This work was pretty weak, the adaptation itself was horrendous, and the acting was ... (I hate to say it) sad.I hope with all My little Muppet Heart, that Brian does something innovative and GOOD to give us something back from this horrendous disappointment.Yes, it really WAS that bad. *sighs* It rates a 3.4/10 from...the Fiend :.

There are about 3 good jokes in this. Ashanti can't act.The photography and special effects are bad and the writing is nowhere near normal Muppet standards. Some of the chemistry is still there between the puppets but apart from a few high points, it's one to watch while sleeping off Xmas dinner.Because IMDb has a 10 line minimum I have to think of something more to say but I really feel I said it all. Go and watch the original Muppet Show, or the Muppets Christmas Carol instead.

Some people commenting on here didn't like that, especially the gentleman from Texas. Honestly, i liked it. Its telling the familiar tale of The Wizard of Oz with a modern feel and a crowd of puppets. I will say its not in the same league as Muppets Christmas Carol which was out of this world, but it does hold up. There are less human characters in it and more muppets. Miss Piggy as the wicked witches - who else could do the parts???? (I'm at the point where piggy is the WW of the West and dressed as a biker in leather.) Kermit is Scarecrow, Gonzo the tin thing (20 years watching the muppets, im still wondering what gonzo is?), Fozzie as the cowardly lion and Pepe the Prawn as, Toto. Ashanti is so gorgeous as Dorothy. I saw her at the start and during the film and thought "WOW"This is a good one for the kids or to watch if you like the muppets. With all films that are using a basic theme, forget the others, judge this by itself and not against any others. you'll love it.