Going into this movie, do not expect a rehash of the original. This movie is intended to be truer to the spirit of the books than "The Wizard of Oz" was. The plot, in fact, is a combining of the stories from "The Marvelous Land of Oz" and "Ozma of Oz"--the second and third books in the series. Though some minor hat-tips were made to the original movie, making it a cursory sequel only.
For instance, the Ruby Slippers in the first movie were Silver Slippers in the book. Here, they make reference to Dorothy using Ruby Slippers in her previous adventure out of deference to that movie.
However, the books have much more of a dark, foreboding tone than the saccharine sweetness of the original movie. (Not too much, since they're still kid's books, but it is still there.) This one captures that feel much more than the original.
If your kids are old enough to handle the slightly dark tone of this film (not too much, but still dark) they should easily fall in love with the imagination and the characters of this movie.
For instance, the Ruby Slippers in the first movie were Silver Slippers in the book. Here, they make reference to Dorothy using Ruby Slippers in her previous adventure out of deference to that movie.
However, the books have much more of a dark, foreboding tone than the saccharine sweetness of the original movie. (Not too much, since they're still kid's books, but it is still there.) This one captures that feel much more than the original.
If your kids are old enough to handle the slightly dark tone of this film (not too much, but still dark) they should easily fall in love with the imagination and the characters of this movie.