Will he wonk ya?

For who could hate or bear a grudge, Against a luscious bit of fudge?
-Augustus Gloop, Danny Elfman, from soundtrack of Charlie & the Chocolate Factory.

This is way overdue. But I just had to...For those who haven't watched it, no big givaways or spoilers, I promise....

A review of the most recent Willie Wonka & the Chocolate Factory movie on the account of one who has read all of Roald Dahl's books, a few times through, one who has seen the old Charlie & the Chocolate Factory movie at least thrice and one who is an avid Tim Burton and Johnny Depp fan. This might mean I may be inclined to be biased...of course I'd love this, no? Well also note that expectations were high, so did the movie live up to it? :



The Goodstuff:
-I loved it that Fudge-mountain was depicted as in the book!! (something the old film lacked)
- Visually, it was stunning. Psychedelically bizarre.
- THE glass elevator! Somebody show me the set prototype!
- The surrealism and some might say 'fakeness' of the movie was exactly how I envisioned it to be from the book. I reckon Dahl is not your average kids-book writer. His wit and extremities make you doubt his true intentions ;)
-They say the movie lacked soul. I don't think that's the point of it. Roald Dahl is about wit and humour, not about tears and warm fuzzy feelings.
-Casting. Depp never ceases to amaze me. Highmore, I adored since his role as Peter in Finding Neverland.
-As I said, I love Tim Burton's work. I agree with the decisions he makes as a director. I can almost imagine him saying 'NO, the Oompa Loompah's will NOT be cute. Lets get Deep Roy (a somewhat awkward looking actor..did you know he had a small role in Return of the Jedi?!) and just multiply the fellow.
- The music, I particularly enjoyed. By Danny Elfman - who also did, check this out... music for The Simpsons, Men In Black, Batman Returns, Spider-Man, Desperate Housewives, Chicago...
- Roald Dahl's new lyrics to the Oompah Loompah songs. H.I.L.A.R.I.O.U.S.

The Not-So-Goodstuff:
- Willie Wonka reminded me too much of a Michael Jackson spin-off at times.
-I felt the ending was a tad bit rushed. Could have made the film longer. Perhaps there were complications (kid's attention spans etc...blah, i don't know)
- The coat hangers, when they first entered the factory, were cooler in the first movie. (yes I notice the weirdest detail)
- I'm still not sure about the evil daddy dentist part. (SARUMAaaan) Will not give it away, but yeah....:)
- Tim Burton is a bit of a demented freak - I think smart kids will seriously be scared watching this show.

All in all, the squirrels, Oompahs breaking out in to song, an ode to Good Morning Starshine?!, The Buckets' house, Augustus Gloop, oh man.... What can I say, when Burton, Depp and Dahl collide, it'll be sinful NOT to watch this. Lin liked it. :)