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Member since:25.04.2004
Reviews:37
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Sweet-toothed Johnny Depp has a thing for 'chocolat', having starred in the film of that name and now in Tim Burton's much-hyped remake of this Roald Dahl classic.
Both ultimately left a sweet taste in my mouth, although stylistically opposite ends of the film spectrum and budgets.
In Burton's hands the Wonka film would always be fairly dark compared to the milky shmutz-fest of the 70s version we all know and love, starring Gene Wilder.
This was after all the man who brought us The Nightmare Before Christmas and Big Fish, although 'Charlie' has more in common with the latter than the former, which is bound to upset purists and 'serious' film buffs alike, but delight masses.
We all know the story of how little Charlie Bucket finds a golden ticket and along with four other children, all apart from the bizarrely plumb-voiced C.B, spoilt brats, who all get their just 'dessert' (sorry!)
Each comes to a different sticky end. Veruca Salt being dragged into a refuse shaft by squirrels and Augustus Gloop, portrayed as a fat German boy, almost drowning in chocolate were my favourite - Although I couldn't see the morality of someone who makes his living from people eating loads of chocolate punishing gluttony!
Depp
does gothic (Edward Scissorhands) and camp (Pirates Of The Caribbean) but as the 'candy man' seemed to be a melting pot of both characters, with a lot of Michael Jackson thrown in.
The set would not have looked out of place in Neverland. And Wonka and Jackson both seem to find delight in shunning adults and being surrounded by little people.
But like most 20 and 30-somethings who were brought up on the books and the Gene Wilder version I missed bits of the original film which, like The Wizard Of Oz, was engrained in our taste buds after consecutive Boxing Day viewings, eating the last of the previous day's confectionary stash.
There was no Oompa Lumpa theme song, (Dear Mr Burton, Why oh why or why?) although we did get some new musical numbers from 'them' (all Oompa Lumpas were played by Roy Deep, a real 'star' who previously worked with Burton on Deep Fish and Planet Of The Apes) and a little sub-section on how they came to work at the factory.
I also missed the bit in the original where Charlie and Grandpa Joe got sucked up into a giant fan and had to burp to get down.
Instead we got non-Dahl extra bits which weren't altogether necessary. A sub plot, which follows Wonka's relationship with his dentist father, played by veteran Christopher Lee seemed a tad forced.
The original tale was fantastic. If it wasn't broken, why mend it?
We also get the repeated syrupy Americana message that families are the most important thing in the world, which any youngster not in a stable family could find upsetting.
But having said all of that. I did enjoy this day-glo version, especially Depp and Deep (does that sound like a double act waiting to happen?) and Helena Bonham-Carter.
I did enjoy spotting the cameos from Brit-thesps from Eastenders and Vicar Of Dibley (see if you can spot them!) deliberately so out of context, all part of Burton's humour.
Burton buffs will be pleasantly amused by the trademark subtle touches that he puts into the film.
There is a reference to Edward Scissorhands when Wonka is seen snipping the ribbon to open the factory and probably countless others I missed…(check out a future DVD extras commentary section for details…probably)
The scene with the Oompa Lumpa as a psychiatrist is also very clever as are the squirrel nut-openers - who act their little hearts out and got the cinema laughing out loud.
Now the film is unwrapped Depp will undoubtedly be the new Gene Wilder for thousands of under 20s worldwide.
The magnitude of the Wonka phenomenon is underlined by the fact that three other friends,(grown childless adults I must add), texted me tonight to say they had seen it.
The screening at the UCI at Tamworth was full and we had to queue to get in. I haven't done that since Star Wars - and that didn't have the attraction of a girl turning into a blueberry.
All I spoke to agreed with me that it was good and well worth a look, but preferred the original and with many remakes were left asking the question 'why?'.
I think the answer is the difference between milky and dark chocolate…all down to taste.
The technical bit….
Cast overview, first billed only: Johnny Depp .... Willy Wonka Freddie Highmore .... Charlie Bucket David Kelly .... Grandpa Joe Helena Bonham Carter .... Mrs. Bucket Noah Taylor .... Mr. Bucket Missi Pyle .... Mrs. Beauregarde James Fox .... Mr. Salt Deep Roy .... Oompa Loompa Christopher Lee .... Dr. Wonka Adam Godley .... Mr. Teavee Franziska Troegner .... Mrs. Gloop Annasophia Robb .... Violet Beauregarde Julia Winter .... Veruca Salt Jordan Fry .... Mike Teavee Philip Wiegratz .... Augustus Gloop (more)
Also Known As: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The IMAX Experience (USA) (IMAX version) MPAA: Rated PG for quirky situations, action and mild language. Runtime: 115 min Country: USA / UK Language: English Color: Color Sound Mix: DTS / Dolby Digital / SDDS Certification: Australia:PG / USA:PG / UK:PG / Ireland:PG / Canada:G (British Columbia) / Brazil:Livre / Czech Republic:12 / Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) / Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) / Singapore:PG / Germany:6 / Mexico:A / Philippines:G
Trivia: Willy Wonka's boat would eventually float on chocolate. It took 20 weeks to build.
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I've only seen the first half of this, but what I did watch I didn't like that much... TOO much, doesn't touch the origional.. Great review tho... Lol... Niki Xx
ciaomeister1 08.04.2006 20:46
Those little squirrels made this film!!! I enjoyed it, the kids loved it.
Janej47 17.03.2006 18:59
I know that the storyline was altered a little , and that Dahl said specifically that he never wanted Disney to get their hands on it , but I loved it anyway . Depp was amazing . Jane xx
Who better to bring Roald Dahl's adored children's story to life than the mastermind ... more
behind inventive films like EDWARD SCISSORHANDS and BEETLEJUICE? From Tim Burton's opening shot against Danny Elfman's eerie score this CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTO...
Aug 6th, 2005
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