Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
In this summer of remakes and sequels, it is nice to find a movie that lives up to audience expectations. This latest offering of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a fun movie that visualizes the book and provides an eerie glimpse into the world of Roald Dahl.
The movie is getting overshadowed by the debate of remake or not, Depp or Wilder, musical or straight. I loved Willie Wonka as a child, but this version is far truer to the book and the story that most of us read long ago.
The sets could have been drawn up right out of the book. When we first see Charlie’s house and the grandparents all in the bed, it looks oddly right. Charlie’s family are just as they should be and cabbage soup never looked so homey. The whole city is bleak and overcast but once we’re inside the factory, the magic happens and we all want to live next to the chocolate river.
Oompa Loompas have always been creepy little guys and inside this chocolate factory, they’re even creepier. First off, they’re all the same, played by Deep Roy, who is turning into a Tim Burton staple. The Oompa Loompas run the factory, still sing, and provide some of the silliest moments in the movie. We have disco numbers to traditional laments, all Oompa Loompa styles. Luckily this is not a musical so there are no long sad songs to endure.
Johnny Depp does his usual complete portrayal of a character and we believe he is Willie Wonka. Christopher Lee has a stand out but limited role as Dr. Wonka and Charlie’s parents and grandparents are all believable. Charlie is accurately played by Freddie Highmore, whom we last saw as Peter, in Finding Neverland. The other children are all as annoying as ever and we’re happy to see them go.
Most everyone knows the story and the movie follows the book, with a few minor variations that enhance the film. It’s an enjoyable two hours for anyone who loves the books. If you’re new to Charlie and are not a big fan of fantasy, you may be bored at times. The younger children in the audience had trouble following the first 25 minutes until Charlie arrives at the chocolate factory. The Carlsbad audience applauded at the end and that’s only the second time I’ve heard that this year. (The first was Revenge of the Sith.)
The movie is getting overshadowed by the debate of remake or not, Depp or Wilder, musical or straight. I loved Willie Wonka as a child, but this version is far truer to the book and the story that most of us read long ago.
The sets could have been drawn up right out of the book. When we first see Charlie’s house and the grandparents all in the bed, it looks oddly right. Charlie’s family are just as they should be and cabbage soup never looked so homey. The whole city is bleak and overcast but once we’re inside the factory, the magic happens and we all want to live next to the chocolate river.
Oompa Loompas have always been creepy little guys and inside this chocolate factory, they’re even creepier. First off, they’re all the same, played by Deep Roy, who is turning into a Tim Burton staple. The Oompa Loompas run the factory, still sing, and provide some of the silliest moments in the movie. We have disco numbers to traditional laments, all Oompa Loompa styles. Luckily this is not a musical so there are no long sad songs to endure.
Johnny Depp does his usual complete portrayal of a character and we believe he is Willie Wonka. Christopher Lee has a stand out but limited role as Dr. Wonka and Charlie’s parents and grandparents are all believable. Charlie is accurately played by Freddie Highmore, whom we last saw as Peter, in Finding Neverland. The other children are all as annoying as ever and we’re happy to see them go.
Most everyone knows the story and the movie follows the book, with a few minor variations that enhance the film. It’s an enjoyable two hours for anyone who loves the books. If you’re new to Charlie and are not a big fan of fantasy, you may be bored at times. The younger children in the audience had trouble following the first 25 minutes until Charlie arrives at the chocolate factory. The Carlsbad audience applauded at the end and that’s only the second time I’ve heard that this year. (The first was Revenge of the Sith.)
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