Voices of Grey Griffin, Joe Alasky, Jason Alexander, and Michael J. Gough
Directed by Spike Brandt and Tony Cervone
Music and Lyrics by various
I was actually looking forward to this one. I've wondered why the many sequels to The Wizard of Oz aren't adapted more often. Disney's delightfully macabre Return to Oz is one of my favorite movies. Perhaps that movie's failure in the mid-80's scared filmmakers away from diving further into the Oz mythos than the first book, or they believe it's impossible to compete with the still-popular 1939 version. Warners decided to give it a shot with their own version of several follow-up Oz novels, once again featuring Tom & Jerry. How do they do with another Oz tale? Let's begin back in Kansas and find out...
The Story: Dorothy wishes someone would listen to her when she tells them about Oz. Her aunt, uncle, and the farmhands think she's just talking about her dream. There's a lot more trouble than her wanting more responsibility when Mr. Bibb (Alexander) comes with his barbecue truck and tries to take their animals. Dorothy wants to help, but her aunt and uncle say she's too young and leave her behind while they try to figure out what to do.
Turns out the Gale Farm isn't the only place under siege. Oz was attacked by the Nome King (Alexander), who wants to use the magic of the Ruby Slippers to take back the emeralds from the Emerald City. The Scarecrow (Gough), Tin Woodsman (Rob Paulsen), and Cowardly Lion (Todd Stashwick) make their way to Kansas via a mole tunnel, but it collapses before they can return. They get the Wizard (Alaskey) to take them back via balloon instead. When he and Glinda are taken prisoner, it's up to Dorothy, her friends, and their new companions the Mouse Queen (Amy Pemberton) and the Hungry Tiger (Andrea Martin) to save Oz before the Nome King sends the entire country down to his realm.
The Animation: Same deal as last time. It looks like an MGM/Hanna Barbara short of the 1940's and early 50's. The Nome King and his people are drawn a bit more modern and cartoonishly compared to them, though. The Winged Monkeys have wide, evil grins that bring the Tom & Jerry and Dr. Seuss cartoons directed by Chuck Jones to mind.
The Song and Dance: This is more like it. Tom and Jerry do better when they have a story that fits them, not just one they're randomly inserted into. There's some creative gags and delightfully energetic music here, including "The Jitterbug," a song that was notoriously cut from the original Wizard of Oz film. Alexander has an absolute ball as the obnoxious barbecue owner and the Nome King, while James Monroe Iglehart is a riot as Calvin Carney at the Kansas State Fair and the Jitterbug.
Favorite Number: We start off once again with "Over the Rainbow" as Dorothy wishes someone would believe her about Oz. "There's No Place Like Home" turns up twice, for Dorothy and the farm hands in the beginning as they admit the farm took a licking in the tornado, and near the end by Dorothy as she wishes to go back. We also hear "Off to See the Wizard" again, this time as Dorothy and her Oz friends head to the Kansas State Fair to find the Wizard. Calvin Carney happily claims the fair is "A Mighty Fine Affair" as he touts its many delights.
The Nome King's men immediately go into "All Hail" whenever he's in their sights. His big villain song is "What's Mine Is Mine" as he explains why he wants the Ruby Slippers and the Emerald City. The Lion and the Hungry Tiger share "Oh My, Oh My, Oh My" as they argue over who is the better ruler of the jungle. "The Jitterbug" sends everyone into dancing frenzies whenever he flies over them.
Trivia: Dedicated to Joe Alaskey, who died during production.
The first (and to date, only) Tom and Jerry movie to be a sequel to a previous film.
What I Don't Like: First of all, I kind of wish it actually adapted the books, instead of choosing random characters and creating a plot around them. The books flesh out a lot more about the Mouse Queen and the Nome King and many others. Second, the animation suits the time period but isn't that great, and while Griffith does better this time around, she still isn't going to make anyone forget Judy Garland. Andrea Martin's Hungry Tiger doesn't really do much besides argue with the Cowardly Lion.
The Big Finale: If you're a fan of the Oz books or Tom & Jerry, or you must see one of Tom and Jerry's crossovers, make it this one. It's worth seeing for the decent music and performances alone.
Home Media: Also easily found, often for under $10.
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