No better way to kick off August than heading over to the swanky Neue House on Sunset to celebrate the latest Amazon Original for kids, Lost in Oz. Just as the name would suggest there is a strong tie to the Wizard of Oz, which is one of my childhood favorites which we have watched as a family numerous times. I was excited to see how Amazon would make the adventures of Oz more modern day.
As soon as we walked up to the check-in area, out ticket in was a cool pin representing “The Periodic Table of Magical Elements.” Yessssss please! As we walked upstairs to find our seats, we received popcorn, a make your own candy bag buffet and cool decor to get us excited about watching Lost in Oz. We quickly found some seats and settled in.
Quick synopsis per Amazon:
“In Lost in Oz, 12-year-old Dorothy Gale discovers her mother’s magical travel journal hidden beneath the floorboards of their Kansas home. The book triggers a tornado, which rips her house from its foundation and transports Dorothy and her dog, Toto, to Emerald City, a bustling, modern, metropolis. In order to get home, Dorothy learns she must acquire every element on Oz’s “periodic table of magic” – while the city faces the worst magic drought in eons! Along the way, Dorothy and Toto meet unlikely allies in West, Ojo, Reigh the Lion, Scarecrow, and Glinda the Good, who are each eager to help, but struggling with their own problems. Together, they navigate the magical landscape of Oz while undergoing their own unique journeys of self-discovery.”
My thoughts: Lost in Oz is a cute and engaging show. You will find yourself falling in love with Toto like you did in the original Oz and rooting for them to find their way home to Kansas. With the introduction of more magic and tech, it brings a modern twist. The overall theme of good triumphing over evil still exists, making any mom happy. The episodes are a quick 30 minutes and you will easily find yourself watching a few at a time. Another piece that I love is that the lead of the show is a fearless female. Dorothy is the perfect inspiration for young girls today. I also love that her friends exemplify modern diversity. Subtle but there. I would definitely give it 2 thumbs up.
As soon as the first 2 shows of the inaugural season of Lost in Oz ended, we headed downstairs for the after party which was like walking straight into Oz. We were giving drinks in beakers, bubbles were bursting into smoke, kids made slime and ozonium. It was amazing. It is out today (August 4th) on Amazon Prime.
Quick Fun Facts about the production behind Lost in Oz:
Lost in Oz is created by Bureau of Magic and animated by Polygon Pictures. The series is developed and executive produced by Abram Makowka, Darin Mark, Jared Mark, and Mark Warshaw (East Los High). The Amazon Original Special, Lost in Oz: Extended Adventure, won three 2017 Daytime Emmy Awards for “Outstanding Children’s Animated Program,” “Outstanding Sound Mixing – Animation,” and “Outstanding Sound Editing – Animation.”