Review: Sphere turns ‘Wizard of Oz’ into a wild ride with AI, in-theater effects in Las Vegas
“The Wizard of Oz at Sphere” uses generative artificial intelligence (AI) to make the movie fit a huge screen. Is it a mess, or is it worth seeing?
Sphere has been in Las Vegas since 2023, but the domed venue has never screened an old movie, especially one like “The Wizard of Oz,” which debuted 86 years ago. “The Wizard of Oz at Sphere” is old meets new, but you’re not watching the movie as it was originally was recorded; it’s been digitally manipulated using generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools to make it fit the huge, curved Sphere screen.
‘Wizard of Oz’ scenes expanded for the Sphere’s screen
You have probably seen “The Wizard of Oz,” but seeing it on the Sphere screen is like seeing a whole new cut of the film (and it is). But it’s the Oz you know, and much more. Programmers took scenes from the original movie and expanded them.
For example, during a shot in the original movie, the camera may have focused solely on Dorothy while she talked, then cut over to the Cowardly Lion as he talked. But in this version, you not only see both of them on screen at the same time, but you can see the yellow brick road going off into the distance, and the hills and trees around Oz. You may notice some birds flying by that weren’t there before. That’s just one example of how the extra screen space is used.
Sphere Studios also rerecorded the whole musical soundtrack.
4D effects in the auditorium
This version also utilizes 4D effects like lights flashing, rumbling seats, wind and smoke blowing, physical things floating in the air and dropping from the sky, as well as actual flying monkeys in the form of drones. If you get lucky, you may catch one of the foam apples that are dropped during the apple tree scene.
You’re surrounded by the screen too. As Dorothy and her new friends make their way to Oz, you can look up at the beautiful sky, and later see the wizard towering above you.
AI in ‘The Wizard of Oz at Sphere’
As I said earlier, Sphere Studios used AI to expand the scenery and place the characters in these larger scenes. Overall, they did a great job, but there were a couple of times when you could tell some of the background characters’ faces didn’t look exactly right. Another time when a character stepped down off a curb, it just didn’t look completely natural. But these were few and far between and really didn’t take my wife and I out of the moment.
I loved seeing more of Oz, and being able to get a better perspective of the land around Oz, including the Munchkin village. It gave me a new perspective of the characters’ journey. After Dorothy and the Scarecrow left the talking apple tree, you could still see the apple trees in the background when they got to their next stop.
As well done as the expanded scenes were, I’m sure there are some purists who won’t like changes to the original “Wizard of Oz,” and there are those who don’t like Sphere using AI to do it. But to me, the original will always be there, and this won’t replace it anytime soon since this version can’t be replicated anywhere else, unless they build another Sphere.
You could also argue the imagery Sphere added is an interpretation of what was in the background of certain scenes. Yes, they are essentially deciding themselves what Munchkin village looks like overall, and where it sits within the land, but they did also research the original script and filming of the movie. Yes, it’s a creative liberty that had to be taken, but of course, the movie is an interpretation of the book.
Seating, runtime, and overall thoughts on ‘The Wizard of Oz at Sphere’
My wife and I both loved “The Wizard of Oz at Sphere.” The screen alone makes it immersive, but the added effects really make this more like a theme park attraction than just a 4D movie. If you’re a fan of the original movie, you’ll love this version. Even if you’re not a big fan of the movie, this will give you a new perspective of it.
Some scenes were cut down and changed a bit from the original film, but I didn’t notice it until editing a video of some of the best scenes for our social media accounts. The total runtime of “The Wizard of Oz at Sphere” is about an hour and 25 minutes. The original is an hour and 42 minutes.
We sat in section 300, and didn’t have a chance to see what the view is like from many other seats, but it seemed like there were no bad views. (Sphere isn’t selling every section of the auditorium for this show.)
This was our first time in Sphere, so we haven’t been to any concerts or other shows yet, but we hope this movie trend continues. It’d be cool to see some more modern classics like “Star Wars” or “Willy Wonka” in this format — maybe working with the actual filmmakers to expand their vision for the movies. I don’t think this would work with just any movie, though. Fantasy and sci-fi, where an expanded universe could be added, would work best.
“The Wizard of Oz at Sphere” is currently scheduled through April 2026. The tickets aren’t cheap, starting at $114, but it really is an experience you can’t have anywhere else. If you go, plan on arriving early and staying a bit after the show. There are multiple stores inside selling “Wizard of Oz” merchandise, many photo ops, and some cool character interactions in the lobby after the show.
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