 Michael Jackson 's performance as the Scarecrow was one of the only positively reviewed elements of the film , with critics noting that Jackson possessed " genuine acting talent " and " provided the only genuinely memorable moments . " Of the results of the film , Jackson stated : " I don 't think it could have been any better , I really don 't . " In 1980 , Jackson stated that his time working on The Wiz was " my greatest experience so far . . . I 'll never forget that . " The film received a positive critique for its elaborate set design , and the book American Jewish Filmmakers noted that it " features some of the most imaginative adaptations of New York locales since the glory days of the Astaire @-@ Rogers films . " In a 2004 review of the film , Christopher Null wrote positively of Ted Ross and Richard Pryor 's performances . However , Null 's overall review of the film was critical , and he wrote that other than the song " Ease on Down the Road " , " the rest is an acid trip of bad dancing , garish sets , and a Joel Schumacher @-@ scripted mess that runs 135 agonizing minutes . " A 2005 piece by Hank Stuever in The Washington Post described the film as " a rather appreciable delight , even when it 's a mess " , and felt that the singing – especially Diana Ross 's – was " a marvel " . 
