The recent announcement of plans to re-make The Wizard of Oz led me to consider other film versions of great fantasy kid flicks. Yes, Wizard is a classic and the template for many other flicks. However, if you are a fan of the Baum books, you have to admit that it`s not actually true to the original tale anyway. A few of the many changes: the friendly farmhands have no place in the book, Dorothy is held captive by the Witch for weeks, not days, and there are scary creatures like the tiger-esque Kalidahs. But the MGM Oz movie is a great book to screen adaptation. It retains the fantasy elements while adding the beloved “no place like home” theme.
Here are some entertaining movies based on children’s books:
1.Winnie the Pooh{1960`s, collected in 1977}: It`s visually gorgeous and uses music in an innovative way. The down side is that overt cuteness is emphasized over the fresh wit of the stories. Case in point: small creatures like Piglet are shown as cloying and child-like.
2. Dueling Willie Wonkas: Fans of the 1971 version of Roald Dahl`s “Charlie and the Chocolate factory” were appalled when Tim Burton re-did it in 2005. But there are good things about both movies: lively music, great set designs, and clever writing. However, there is just something about the original set of child actors that grabs you. These kids were perfect for the characters in a way that fans dream of: the non-saccahrine goodness of Peter Ostrum`s Charlie, the unapologetic brattiness of Julie Dawn Cole as Veruca Salt. Though I like both versions, kudos to the older one for casting genius.
3. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe {2005}: After years of waiting, devotees of the Lewis book were rewarded with this visually lovely and text-faithful film. CGI makes the talking critters believeable rather than hokey. Much like adult fantasy fave Lord of the Rings, those who said it couldn`t be done were proved wrong.
4.Return to Oz{1985}: Despite its poor box office showing and dissing by critics, I love this film-no question. Based on Oz sequels, it`s a true original. . People were disappointed that it was not a musical, ignoring the multitude of neat stuff here: Fairuza Balk {!} as Dorothy, more background on the politics of Oz, characters like Jack Pumpkinhead brought to life by the Henson Creature Shop. Definitely worth a rental if you`ve never seen it.
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