Does The Wizard of Oz have any connections to prog? Why, yes it does! If you know, you know. Many of us Pink Floyd fans are aware of the longstanding theory that Dark Side of the Moon somehow syncs up with the scenes in the film, a concept called “Dark Side of the Rainbow.” I haven’t tested this idea yet, but apparently you’re supposed to start the album at the third roar of the MGM lion at the start of the film. Luckily, I own the film in 4k, as well as numerous copies of Dark Side, and I think having this blog is a great motivation to give it a try some afternoon or evening.
We’re talking about The Wizard of Oz today, because that’s how I spent my Sunday afternoon with my parents in none other than Las Vegas, Nevada.
If you haven’t been to the Las Vegas Sphere, I can tell you that the photo I’ve provided at the bottom of this post only captures roughly 5% of the experience. It is a HUGE screen, that stretches above your head and around your peripheral vision. The quality of the picture puts IMAX to shame, to an extent where the image is almost lifelike. This was especially true for Darren Aronofsky’s Postcard from Earth, which I saw at my first trip to the Sphere, but that film was made specifically for the venue. There’s a difference between that and enhancing an existing film. that was remastered.
I know that this production of the film generated different reactions. On one hand, some think it’s a cool way to modernize the film without compromising its overall essence. On the other, some consider an example of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” That is, some object to the use of AI to alter an already beautiful-looking film. This is going to open the conversation back up to the role AI should or shouldn’t play in art, but that’s for another entry. Anyway, I’m inclined to agree with the first standpoint. I don’t think the film was ruined. This isn’t a remake of the film. The included dialogue and singing is all the same as the original, the characters look as they should, and the score was re-recorded note for note. I consider it more of a way of bringing a classic movie into the 21st century while utilizing the Sphere’s exclusive technology. We had wind blowing, leaves flying around, and seats shaking during the tornado sequence and snow falling during the poppy scene. It’s already a well-known movie and story, but I think a production like this is a fun way to bring it back into the spotlight and gain the interest of younger generations. We can probably also thank the Wicked franchise for contributing to that. I feel like it was given a respectful, rather than “cheapened” upgrade, and I think it represents where I’m willing to draw the line as far as AI’s presence in the realm of art.
As enjoyable as this experience was, my one major gripe about it is the fact that they cut the film down to 75 minutes, omitting some good dialogue, and scrapping the Lion’s entire musical number in Emerald City. That’s one of the funniest parts of the film! Upon doing further research, I learned that the film was shortened to allow for more screenings throughout the day. I’m glad to know that that’s the reason, rather than a move made to accommodate dwindling attention spans in this day and age.
As far as the next movie the Sphere decides to bring to life, I’m voting for Star Wars!
The Girl in the Scarf 
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