A quickie before bed

[chani]

If I don't do it now I'll never do it.

I saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on Friday, "with" a couple of friends who were somewhere in the theatre but not by me!

I must have seen previous versions but I don't really remember them so I won't review it as a remake. I haven't read the book the film is based on either. Overall it's pretty entertaining.

First the casting was excellent. Johnny Depp played a freakish Willy Wonka that was a mixing of Michael Jackson (luring kids into his realm thanks to candies!) and Depp's previous roles (Edward Scissorshands, Sam from Benny and Joon). He's funny, sarcastic, sometimes mean (a Michael Jackson who would not like children!), irritating, often pathetic and at the same time we still can relate to him and as Charlie be in connivance with him. The kids are all quite convincing, the Bucket family is touching (especially the grandparents sharing beds), and Christopher Lee showing up in a cameo is pretty good too.

Second, the factory is a visual wonder. This is definitely a Burton's movie. I loved the squirrels sequence, the shrink sequence and the elevator "going up and out" that seemed coming from my dreams (yeah I often have elevator nightmares and they never drop they always go up through the roof...).

And there are the musical numbers by the Oompas Loompas. The songs are pretty funny and I enjoyed parodies and winks to other movies, including Burton's. The film is actually full of hints. I caught a few references to Esther Williams' movies, Edward Scissorshands, Ben Hur (with the OL rowing), 2001:  A Space Odyssey (the Wonka chocolate bar standing in for the monolith!), The Beatles and also Heavy Metal gigs.

I even noticed a nod to Burton's Ed Wood when Wonka and his visitors passed by OL that were shearing pink sheeps (kinda odd in a chocolate factory!) and then Willy said he prefered not to talk about that. Maybe it's only in my head but Ed Wood whom Johnny Depp played, used to wear pink angora sweaters!

So it is not a masterpiece, and I wouldn't even say it was a very good movie, but it's refreshing, full of gimmicks and worth seeing.

Comments

[elizabeth-cs.livejournal.com]

I loved Johnny Depp, and liked the movie a lot. Tim Burton seems to like referencing his own movies IoI... and recycling his actors. I didn't see the reference to Michael Jackson, and, just like Depp, would argue that one sees what he wants to see: you want to see MJ in Wonka, then you will. However, i do believe it wasn't an intentional move of the crew.

On the other note, did you see my "affiche" for Angelique?

[frenchani.livejournal.com]

I thought of MJ because of the kids and because of Willy's gloves! He seems germaphobic.

I have seen your affiche now.

[kazzy-cee.livejournal.com]

This isn't out here yet, but my family want to go and see it. I like Johnny Depp, he brings a lot to every role he plays, and he's a pretty 'safe' bet if you're not sure about a movie and he's in it.

Thanks for the review. I love the book, so I'm interested to see how Burton has 'reimagined' it!

[sister-luck.livejournal.com]

I'm definitely going to watch that (saw a very short trailer the other day and a review on Talking Movies).
I like the Burton/Depp combo.
And I love chocolate. Memories of the book are faint though - can't remember whether I actually read the whole thing or just browsed throught it at a friend's.