Watch The Muppets' Wizard of Oz

The Muppets' Wizard of Oz, released in 2005, is a musical fantasy adventure film directed by Kirk Thatcher. The movie is a loose adaptation of the classic story The Wizard of Oz with a creative twist – It features iconic characters from The Muppets franchise. The film starts with aspiring singer Dorothy Gale (played by Ashanti) feeling disheartened and stuck in her hometown in Kansas. She lives with her Auntie Em (Queen Latifah) and Uncle Henry (David Alan Grier) in their diner. One day, a tornado hits the town, and Dorothy is knocked unconscious. She wakes up in a magical land called Oz, filled with talking animals and plants and of course, the beloved Muppets characters.

Soon she is joined by her dog Toto, played by Pepe the King Prawn from The Muppets. Together, they walk along the famous Yellow Brick Road to meet the Wizard of Oz, who can help her go back home.

On her journey through Oz, Dorothy meets various characters, including the Scarecrow, played by Kermit the Frog, who seeks a brain. She also meets the Tin Man, played by Gonzo, who desires a heart, and finally, the Cowardly Lion, played by Fozzie Bear, who wants courage.

Along the way, the group is relentlessly pursued by the villainous Wicked Witch of the West, who wishes to prevent them from reaching their destination. The wicked witch is played by Miss Piggy, who performs the role with delightful dramatic flair.

One notable addition to the original story is the inclusion of the character The Great Gonzo – played by himself - as the not-so-great wizard himself. The film also features guest appearances by various other notable personalities, including Jeffrey Tambor as The Wizard of Oz himself, Quentin Tarantino as himself, and a variety of other famous Muppets.

Despite the cast being mostly made up of puppets, the movie still has a lot of comedic moments, witty one-liners, and heart-warming moments. The jokes and references are crafted in a way that audiences of all ages can relate to and enjoy.

One of the many highlights of the film is undoubtedly the musical numbers. The movie features original songs in a variety of genres, ranging from rock to country, and even rap. The songs are all memorable and catchy, performed by both human and Muppet cast members alike.

Overall, The Muppets' Wizard of Oz is a fun, family-friendly film that can be enjoyed by viewers of all ages. It successfully brings the beloved characters of Oz to life in a fresh and creative way. The production design is impressive, and the puppeteering delivers excellent performances by every single cast member. The story remains true to the classic tale, but with a light-hearted and playful twist, making it an enjoyable watch for fans of The Muppets franchise and fans of The Wizard of Oz alike.

The Muppets' Wizard of Oz is a 2005 kids & family movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.1.