Legends Of Oz: Dorothy's Return

Another twister in Kansas. Another rainbow ride to Oz. Dorothy is back, animated this time, voiced and sung by the wonderful Lea Michele from Glee.

Reminiscent of The Lion King when Simba returns to find the land decimated by his evil uncle, Oz has changed for the worse under the dictatorship of The Jester (Martin Short on vocals).

"What's happened to this place?" Dorothy whines. "It used to be so beautiful."

Policed by winged gibbons the country is in the grip of a repressive regime where the sucking of a barley sugar constitutes a capital offence.

Dorothy's faithful friends - the tin man, the lion, the scarecrow - have been captured and imprisoned while the wicked witch runs amok.

Dorothy collects a ragbag of followers to take on The Jester. They include a china princess, an obese owl, a marshmallow army officer and Tug, a rotten tree that transforms itself into a useful river boat.

There is imagination afoot and simple ballads that do not disgrace the reputation of MOR pop. Candypults are employed, as are chocolate soldiers. The ideas keep coming.

However, the film lacks the narrative energy of Frozen and inclines to drift. It ranks in the higher echelons of the second division for the quality of its animation and vocal support (big stars in small roles). Dorothy's character appears underdeveloped and The Jester could have been more menacing.

Children may be confused, but won't be disappointed. There is enough for everyone. In little parcels.