If only The Wiz was a good film, and if taste in art somehow had a direct correspondance to ones racial preferences, this analytical discussion of racism and "reverse-racism" might mean something. If this were a thread on Birth of a Nation, Malcolm X, or even music like Tobe Keith and NWA.

Stubby wrote: Shucks, now I'll never know what Definitive1 thought about Blacula. And who's gonna clean up all the LOLs on this thread?He He! Made my day!
thatmonkey: I won’t use the word “Racist”, but I do believe anyone that calls this movie dumb, stupid or ridiculous who isn’t black is ignorant and insensitive. Huh? re-read that sentence - WTF? I wonder if I was black and I thought it was dumb then what would I be?
Seriously, it is just not a good movie - that's all.
At least definitive1 gave me a good chuckle as he kept burying himself deeper and deeper.
People are allowed to have opinions of a movie - if they didn't like it I don't mind reading that as long as they state why and they also don't try to tell me what I thought of it....



Gabe Powers wrote: If only The Wiz was a good film, and if taste in art somehow had a direct correspondance to ones racial preferences, this analytical discussion of racism and "reverse-racism" might mean something. If this were a thread on Birth of a Nation, Malcolm X, or even music like Tobe Keith and NWA.So true

Rob Clark wrote: Never seen it. But can't wait to. I want to see what Michael Jackson looked like when he was black.

1. He is still black.
2. I find it hard to believe you never saw how Michael Jackson looked like in his youth.
3. Even if number 2 is true, you won't be able to see how he looks like in this movie because he is wearing prosthetic make up like the other characters sans Dorothy.

Try watching a music video instead.

Anyway, I personally thought this was a great movie. I was surprised to see the low ratings whenever I sought a review. Oh well, different strokes for different folks I guess.

canttt youuu feelll theee branddd newww dayyy

The 1939 MGM classic was NOT the original.  There were other silent film and musical adaptations that came before it.  I happen to prefer the Judy Garland version to the Ross-Jackson film.  

However, I hold the 1975 Broadway musical of "The Wiz" as dear as the '39 classic.  Much of what made the stage play so magical was completely removed from the film.  Where onstage it was almost non-stop comedy, the film was just downright depressing.  On stage, Dorothy was played as a little girl from Kansas blown to Oz by one of the most talked-about highlights of the show, the "Tornado Ballet."  The costumes and set designs were incredible and the story was the most faithful adaptation of the original book, which included the Kalidahs, the Field Mice, and the Quadlings.  

It was also a breakthrough for 1975 in that the show had a black producer, a black director, and a mostly black production team that went on to win 7 Tony Awards including "Best Musical."

Ironically, the film version had a mostly white production team, including Rob Cohen producer, Joel Schumacher's screenplay, and Sidney Lumet's direction.  I think Rob Cohen's initial intention was to produce something closer to the Broadway show.  Diana Ross, Richard Pryor, Joel Schumacher, and Sidney Lumet were, I feel, this movie's biggest mistakes.  Ross was too old, Pryor was miscast (the Wiz should have been played by a singer just like the stage version), Schumacher's script was too confusing for children to understand, and Lumet's vision was too misguided.  Oz should have been more fantasy and less reality.  Had they kept the show's playwright, William Brown (who was white, if that matters), Rob Cohen as producer, a young unknown for Dorothy (heck, even Stephanie Mills from the stage show could have worked), and a director who could have kept the "magic," it would have been a much better film.  

Oh yes, we also could have done without some of the disco arrangements and "slowed-down-to-almost-a-halt" singing.

wow wow wow...
i understand wat definitive1 was tryna say
but it came out all wrong
i personally thnk the movie was excellent
idk y ny1 wud dislike this movie but they probably just
cant c the beauty of this remake
but seriously some1 plz give me 5 reasons they dnt like this movie