Was looking forward to this series, wound up being disappointed. I did like the mechanized flying-monkey drones, thought that was a clever reimagining. The rest was junk, like they didn't have enough money for effects and could only manage to sprinkle some yellow powder around for the 'road'. If the writers, producers, showrunner and director had free reign and more funds -- it could've been great imaginative storytelling. As-is, it's a slightly more adult version of ABC's "Once Upon a Time", and that isn't saying much. Another unfortunate example of homogenized primetime network television roadblocking of potential. Would rather to see a Netflix, HBO, or Showtime version of the same series.
It's too early to tell whether this series will survive, but it has potential. It has a good cast, and the characters and their world have mysteries to reveal. It has so little to do with The Wizard of Oz it would have been better if it could shrug off the ill fitting mantle. It may have been the pitch that sold it to the network, but I think it just holds it back. So far I give it an 8 (potentially great) out of 10, but we will have to wait and see if it falters under the weight of it's unnecessary trappings.
Interesting re-imagining of the Wizard of Oz, The first episode (double) felt a bit drawn out and the plot was a bit meandering. Hoping it improves, the lead actress seems good, some of the other acting is a little average. I was expecting more effects as it had been hyped up a lot but there were very few.
This has had a very troubled production (starting back in 2014) with it being cancelled after being given a full series order, before production even began due to creative differences.
A year later it was back on the cards but with a new showrunner so NBC are obviously pinning some hope to it.
I am very interested to see what Tarsem Singh delivers now that he has come onboard as the director of the entire first season. Singh is visually masterful so I have no doubt that the look will live up to the "alternate telling, a dark, edgy version of The Wizard of Oz" that was original pitched to NBC, its just left to be seen how the writing stacks up against it.
Fingers crossed.
...Oh my gosh, this was so terrible! Who writes this trash? The writing, the acting, and the plot are all just so bad. Seriously, I kept laughing at how dumb it was. Not surprised at all that it was canceled, at least someone finally grew a brain.
Visually stunning with some great casting choices, this dark and gritty adaptation of the Wizard of Oz ultimately tried too much, too fast without giving viewers a chance to settle into these new versions of familiar characters.
Emerald City is a dark and gritty re-envisioning of L. Frank Baum’s classic Oz book series. Season 1 follows a young woman named Dorothy Gale who gets swept-up in a tornado and is transported to a strange world where she gets caught in a war between a tyrannical ruler named Oz and a coven of witches lead by Glinda, who’s been secretly building an army. The episodes pull plot threats from the first couple of Oz novels, but usually with a macabre twist. However, the show bears little resemblance to Baum’s Oz, and is more of a medieval fantasy tale. For the most part the show is well-cast, particularly Vincent D’Onofrio and Joely Richardson; who both have tremendous screen-presence. And the writers do a fairly good job at developing story arcs that build over the 10-episodes (often in unexpected ways). But Emerald City’s bold and edgy take on Baum’s work tried to turn Oz into something that it’s not, and as entertaining as it was, it had trouble finding an audience; leading it inevitably to be cancelled.
I miss it. I hope they can try something like this again.
I thought this would be enjoyable but the acting was terrible and the storyline wasn't intriguing.
This show is something of an odd one. I have not read the book, but only seen the movie as a child. This show is nothing like it. They went with a dark twisted setting that really interested me. I have never liked fantasy, but this was good. Its slow and explained things enough that I could understand. If you watch shows for CGI special effects or lots of action rather than development in characters and the storyline, you might want to give this a miss. I really wish that they had renewed this for a second season, or carried the story on in medium.
Colourful. Dramatic. Fantastic landscapes. Great characters. Loved the show, initially a little slow to start and then an ending which clearly left things open for more; it seems that isn't going to happen.
I really quite enjoyed this take on the classic Wizard of Oz tale. I love the world they've created and I hope this gets renewed for a second season!
Too slow. And it's getting worse every week.
I liked the creative twists, but overall, I was able to do my nails while watching/listening to it.. too early to give a thumbs up or down? For me, I think so.. there are some shows that knock ya off your feet right outta the gate, then those that kinda sneak up on ya.. I'm hoping that this one gets better as I do like some of the actors/actresses in the show...
Review by Jerry FisherBlockedParent2017-02-26T10:07:40Z
Emerald City isn't a slavish update to the Wizard of Oz as some viewers might've expected. This series is something different; it takes the essential magic of Oz as we know it and gives it a darker, less saccharine ethos.
This show is a timely observation about the culture conflicts we are living in today, while cleverly using the well-known and many lesser-known characters from L. Frank Baum's Oz series of stories. This Oz is the setting where most of the characters we knew and loved are very different and are less easy to figure out.
Emerald City moves at a set pace as various places and people are introduced. This will prove to be hard for audiences who're more accustomed to a fast-pace or lots of action in a short time. Audiences expecting a CGI extravaganza will be left unfulfilled. There is just enough CGI to establish that this is a place very different from our world. The palette here is much more subdued, in keeping with the moody settings as the story moves along. This is an instance where "less is more."
This series brings many Oz characters together who never interacted in the original stories.
If nothing else, Emerald City isn't the Wizard of Oz. This is a place where Dorothy has to be tougher, smarter and far less trusting of people around her. She has to make her own way without very much help from anyone. This Dorothy isn't necessarily motivated by just wanting to get home as she comes to know Oz.