It's Day 5 of Originals and Their Remakes Theme Week. Today's subject matter consists of two movies that leave dentists in a cold sweat every night.
Oompa Loompa Doompadee Doo
I've got a plot synopsis for you
Oopma Loompa Doompadee Dee
If you care come and read the story
These films revolve around five little brats
And one creepy man in a big top hat
The kids must tour his candy factory
The last one standing is little Charlie
And he wins the special prize
Oompa Loompa Doompadee Dee
The entire thing is quite silly
Someone was sniffing Elmer's Glue
Like the Oompa Loompa Doompadee do!
I confess I considered doing my entire review in an Oompa Loompa song, but that would just be overkill. I also confess that I do not care for either movie, as I just don't like the story. I'm wondering at whom the story is truly aimed: kids or their parents? Each movie has its pros and cons, but at the heart of both is this ridiculous story that I refuse to wrap my head around.
What does the entire thing try to teach children? Don't be fat, don't chew gum (What?!), don't be spoiled and don't watch t.v. and you'll get a candy factory of your own at the tender age of 10? This story instills false hope that nice guys always finish first and truly rotten people get what they deserve. This obviously does not take place in the real world. I'm all about protecting the innocence of our youth, but let's not straight up lie to them. Oh, and what's with the super lazy and crazy grandparents?
As for the actual movies, I don't really prefer one to the other. Actually, I prefer neither. The '71 version has all the boring songs that take up half the film, a bland child actor in the lead, and really dull set design for a place that's suppose to be full of imagination. I do like Gene Wilder's fun spirit and kindness (till the end) and the Oompa Loompa song.
The '05 remake has really bad songs sung by the one Oompa Loompa (though poems from the book, the songs are executed horribly in the film) and instead of the rest of the songs taking up precious time, we're subjected to pointless flashbacks of Willy Wonka's childhood. Even though Johnny exudes a creepiness that would make Michael Jackson uncomfortable leaving his own kids in Mr. Wonka's charge, I do appreciate the humor he brought to the role, while Freddie Highmore made me care for Charlie. And the set design is absolutely breathtaking. The best part is that the remake carries the message that family is the most important thing, not being a good little boy or girl. I'd probably prefer the remake, but those stupid flashbacks and the new Oompa Loompa look keep me from liking it.
This is Tim Burton's second unfavorable appearance in this theme week. Maybe he should drop his "reimaginings."
Ratings:
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Charlie & the Chocolate Factory (2005)
6 pieces of fan mail:
Rachel, I'd have to disagree about the 1971 version - Gene Wilder is awesome! Just a little scary, but ultimately a good guy with lots of secrets. He's not super creepy like the Johnny Depp version. I hated the remake and still love the songs from the original "I've got a golden ticket" still gets stuck in my head from time to time. All of Roald Dahl's books are about the bad guys getting what they deserve. Realistic, no, childhood fantasy, yes.
I didn't watch the original as a kid (shock!) - I only saw it a few years ago (though before the remake).
I prefer the remake by far. Wilder is indeed damn good, but you hit the nail on the head - the kid that played Charlie in the original bugged the hell out of me, and was pretty creepy himself. Freddie Highmore was great for Charlie, and I enjoyed his family a lot more.
I do agree about the songs, though - they're pretty annoying, though I do give credit to Burton and gang for making them so bizarre.
Jess: I agree that Gene Wilder was awesome. He was the only thing that I care for in the original actually. I think my discontent stems from the fact that I didn't see the movie until I was 24. Had I seen it as a child, I'd probably defend it to the death. There was a similar discussion regarding the movie "Labyrinth" when I reviewed "Pan's Labyrinth." Since I didn't watch it till my 20s, I couldn't appreciate it the way people who watched as children do. I think "Willy Wonka" suffers from the same problem.
Fletch: I'm the same boat, since I didn't watch the original till I was in my mid-20s. But yes, Gene Wilder was awesome. I really didn't like the remake after I saw it the first time. I would've probably given it a 1 Reel back in the day. But after seeing it a second time, I relished in Depp's humor more. It was just such a mind trip the first time out, that I wasn't sure what to make of it. I still don't like the overall story though, especially the lazy grandparents and the punishment for simply chewing gum.
I know I'm a little late here, but Dang, I have to step up for the original. And I haaaaaaaaaated the remake, haha!
Honestly, I think you and Fletch would really feel differently had you "grown up on it" (whatever that really means, but you know, seen it a lot when you were younger). But maybe not - you make fair enough points on it. I still hold it dear...
Daniel, I'm sure I'd feel much differently had it been a childhood favorite. But alas this is not the case. I can see why people who did enjoy it in their youth still hold it dear.
That is the dumbest thing I've ever heard, you have no ability to see between the lines. "Being a good boy and girl" has nothing to do with the original version, it's a distraction. The bigger picture is being a good person, often a theme in Dahl's books. Dahl despised adult figures because he experienced a great deal of cruelty from them. The gist of the film and book was that being a self indulgence, irrational child leads to the cruel and wicked adult world of in between and sin.
The 2005 remake had a shtty message, family is important even if they psychologically abuse you as a small child?? HUH?
Dahl was a realist, he understood that adults, family, friends, strangers were all capable of being cruel. Essentially Burton went in the opposite direction and gave his film the message that even though adults are cruel and wicked, you should forgive them.
Post a Comment