The Steam Engines of Oz

The Steam Engines of Oz is a visually stunning animated adaptation of the classic L. Frank Baum novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Released in 2018, the film introduces a new dystopian twist on the beloved story. The original story's well-know characters such as Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion all make appearances, though each character has a new role.

The movie paints a bleak future of the Land of Oz, where the country is ruled by the tyrannical and corrupt Wicked Witch of the East - Victoria Wright (voiced by Julianne Hough). The opening scene showcases the heroine of the film, Victoria's own niece, Dorothy Gale (voiced by Ashleigh Ball), being obediently sent by her uncle on a journey to retrieve a mysterious artifact called the Nullifier. Along the way, the young girl is kidnapped by the Wizard (voiced by William Shatner) who is intent on stealing the Nullifier for his own nefarious purposes.

The animation style used is a unique one and might not appease all tastes, but those who find it enjoyable will appreciate the charm of the world created in The Steam Engines of Oz. The characters themselves have a more polished, steampunk look that works perfectly with the story's overall aesthetic. The cities throughout Oz are each unique, but maintain the same general theme of Victorian-era steam punk, utilizing gears, machinery, and steam-driven technology heavily throughout.

The score produced by the composer George Shaw is equally impressive. Each song played has been carefully crafted to fit and enhance the individual scenes, urging to progress throughout the movie's runtime. The songs are distinct but at the same time coherently work together to build the momentum toward the dramatic reveal of the Nullifier.

While the visuals are exceptional, the story perhaps somewhat predictable with a few twists and turns along the way. But this seems to be deemed acceptable as it was probably not the audience's purpose in watching the film. The steam punk-inspired world alone makes the enchanting experience worthwhile.

As the journey progresses, Dorothy allies herself with the Scarecrow (voiced by Elijah Dhavvan), a mechanic on a quest to save the city of Fume from destruction, Tin Man (voiced by Matthew Kevin Anderson), who is deeply invested in fighting for the resistance, and Cowardly Lion (voiced by Geoff Gustafson), who was taken captive by the Wizard. The band of misfits, each with their own unique skills and priorities, embark on an adventure across the Land of Oz, evading danger at every turn as they combat the Wizard's attempts at capturing the Nullifier.

Many aspects of The Steam Engines of Oz will bring a smile on the viewer's face, as the scriptwriters created it with great care for the original source material. Along the journey, the group visits a variety of iconic Oz landmarks, including the Yellow Brick Road and the Emerald City, but each one is transformed to fit the steam punk-inspired aesthetic of the movie.

Overall, The Steam Engines of Oz is an enjoyable animated film for children and young adults alike. While it may not add anything groundbreaking to the retelling of the classic story, it certainly transforms something beloved into something fresh, breathing new life into the beloved characters and setting. The tone of the movie is undoubtedly dark and dystopian, but the sense of adventure and the visual and musical charm makes up for it. The film is something fans can revisit with fondness and nostalgia every few years, reliving their childhood in a new way.