Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Yesterday I saw Tim Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Given Burton's previous history working with Johnny Depp and Danny Elfman, Roald Dahl's excellent book, and the wonderful 1971 version of the film, I was expecting a masterpiece. Unfortunately, the movie didn't live up to my lofty expectations. Burton's take on the story was interesting and Depp's twisted Michael Jackson-esque portrayal of Willy Wonka was fun to watch at times, but overall the film lacked the charm of the original. Probably the biggest disappointment to me were the Oompa-Loompas whose new songs sequences paled in comparison to the simple nursery rhyme like songs used in the original. The wonder that was "Oompa Loompa Doompadee Doo" has been replaced with CGI Oompa-Loompas head banging to 80's hair rock, copying the Beatles, and dancing to disco. Sad.
On the bright side, before the film we saw a preview of Burton and Depp's next project, a stop-motion film titled Corpse Bride. From what I saw in the preview it looks a lot like The Nightmare Before Christmas, which means it's time to get my hopes up again!
For more detailed reviews I'd recommend checking out MetaCritic.
posted by Jamie at 11:36 PM
7 Comments:
I have to agree. Depp is no Gene Wilder. I think Johnny Depp did a good job but it was very creepy to see him play a character like Willy Wonka...especially one that resembled Michael Jackson.
There were a few funny lines in the movie but it just wasn't as fun as the original. I didn't like the Oompa-Loompa's either. I wonder if that man got paid for all of the roles he had to play. I really think there should have been more than one actor playing the part. It really did not live up to my expectations either.
Is it me or have movies of late been pretty bad?
7:20 AM
I would agree that movies lately have been pretty bad. I can't think of the last non-documentary that I've seen that I really liked.
10:39 PM
Batman Begins was pretty good. :)
7:51 AM
Didn't see that one, but I heard good things. Ties in with the Tim Burton theme of this post though since he did the 'original' Batman. Nicely done.
12:14 AM
Haha...that was unintentional too. I do believe, though, that Batman Begins is the best Batman movie so far.
2:17 PM
[begin sarcasm]
Umm, perhaps you haven't seen Batman & Robin (aka Batman 4). 13% of critics can't be wrong. Plus it has Clooney in the infamous nipple suit! Where's your boy Christian Bale now, huh?
[end sarcasm]
12:15 AM
Awe man...I forgot about nipple Clooney. ;)
8:53 AM
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