Wizard of Oz on Steroids

Scene from the Wizard of Oz
Sphere, Las Vegas, NV
June 19, 2026

 Although we will be heading to the Sphere tonight for the Kenny Chesney Concert, we wanted to get a sense of the venue and went to see The Wizard of Oz yesterday. 

Wow, what AI can do to an old movie. 

The Wizard's Balloon
Sphere, Las Vegas, NV
June 19, 2026

Of course, Sphere is a unique movie format which is similar to to IMAX in perspective but the increased visual resolution combined with special effects including real snow, leaves, wind, and lightening during the appropriate scenes, added to the experience. In short, it was WOW!

The original movie was shortened about 27 minutes and I remembered most of the scenes omitted or shortened. Some were my favorites, like the horse of a different color which was shortened, as well as the chase scene with the wicked witch in her castle which was also edited and shortened. True Wizard of Oz lovers will recognize many of the other scenes which were shortened or even omitted. 

Forest Scene from The Wizard of Oz
Sphere, Las Vegas, NV
June 19, 2026

The AI restoration was incredible. One aspect that stood out was the vibrant colors. 

We were seated in the uppermost section about 12 rows from the top, but the view was fantastic. I got a bit of vertigo from the height and steepness of the stairs and the seats. Once the show began, we were fully immersed into the movie. 

Just one other positive note, we bought our tickets about as late as possible and we had to use a reseller. We were rewarded by getting seats at about half-price. Most of the tickets were astronomically priced, because the show was sold out, but we got lucky!

There are still deals out there!

For the Kenny Chesney concert tonight we are not in the nose-bleed sections, but on the floor.

-- Bob Doan, Las Vegas, NV