Tin Man: The SciFi Channel's Ambition Retake, Not Remake, is a Delightful Bit of Entertainment

For anyone who caught the first installment of "Tin Man" on the SciFi Channel last night, it was immediately obvious "we aren't in Kansas any more." This incredibly dark and surreal re-take of the classic L. Frank Baum series of "Oz" novels at times left me squirming, and at other times clapping with delight. However, the tale bears too many resemblances to other recent works to stand out as truly original in conception or characters.

DG, is played fast and loose by Zooey Deschanel, whose interpretation of the character of Dorothy comes off as both tough and naïve, as she comes to terms with being literally thrown off the roof by her parents into a tornado and crash-landing in a place where she quickly learns her true background - and fast learns of her destiny as the evil sorceress' troops pursue her along the Old Road.

Perhaps the least surprising and commanding performances are from long standing character actors Allan Cumming ("X-Men 2" as Nightcrawler, "The Mask 2" as Loki) and Neal McDonough (whose list of great characters is too long to name), respectively playing Glitch and Tin Man.

Glitch's lack of a brain is much more sinisterly explained than originally portrayed in the novels for Scarecrow, and Tin Man's tin is from his sheriff's badge, and the horrific cage from which he is rescued by DG.

McDonough comes off as an incarnation of The Gunslinger from Stephen King's "Dark Tower" series, cold and heartless, and occasionally ruthless, but with hints of a tenderness toward those requiring defending. Tin Man is not a man to cross lightly.

Glitch is perhaps the most sympathetic of all of the characters, with a past hidden from himself, but flashes of who he had once been coming through. His heart is in the right place, and Cumming is brilliant in carrying off the strangely erratic nature of the character.

The portrayal of the Munchkins as aboriginal, arboreal pigmies was reminiscent of a blending of Ewoks from the classic "Star Wars" films, with a hint of Oompah Loompahs from the latest incarnation of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." While bizarre, they were more of a rework of already-tested characters than original.

Richard Dreyfuss was outstanding as the bewitched and befuddled Wizard, freed from the sorceress's spell to guide the band along their way toward potential salvation.

If you thought the Wicked Witch of the West was scary in the original, get set to have your socks knocked off by the sorceress Azkadellia, played by Kathleen Robertson. Robertson lets you know that "not all witches are ugly" but that may only serve to hide the true nature of the soul that lies within.

All in all, the first installment was entertaining, and worth catching the rest of the series as it concludes.