Charlie and The Chocolate Factory
In the past few years, the movie industry has churned out remake after remake. Even in just the last twelve months, the public has seen the release of "Flight of the Phoenix," "The Longest Yard," and many reinterpretations of old television shows. While this in and of itself may symptomize a creative bankruptcy in Hollywood, the vast majority of these remakes, which producers create in the hopes that both curiosity and nostalgia will lead to big money, fall flat both creatively and at the box office. Critics attribute this failure to several causes: poor promotion, weak casts, stale materials, and the general movie going slump that continues across the country. However, the main cause of this failure lies in the fundamental difficulty involved in producing a recreation that will both attract new fans and satisfy the old ones. Remakes must walk a fine line between homage and parody, between paying tribute and poking fun, between resting on their laurels based on the successes of the past and creating a separate and distinct vision of a classic. One of the few movies in recent memory to perform this delicate task with ease is Tim Burton's unique take on "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."
Watching the movie, I felt as if Burton took the same lens he used to portray his eccentric vision of Gotham City and placed it over this old beloved film. The breathtaking cinematography complements a lavishly designed and exhaustive set. Whether panning above the dreary home of Charlie amidst a sea of other nicer cookie cutter homes or exploring the off-the-wall magical world the inside The Wonka Factory, Burton treats the moviegoer to a wide variety of dazzling views and locales. He paints a picture with Dahl's descriptions that grounds the viewer in reality, but he does not shy from mixing in the fantastic elements he is known for. The first step in differentiating this movie from its predecessor succeeds without question; Burton manages to remind us of the old sunshine and rainbows while simultaneously wowing us with his visual innovations.
Of course, the biggest difference between any remake and the original remains the cast. Fortunately the majority of the actors meet or exceed the performances in the old movie. Freddie Highmore plays a steady Charlie, a bit younger and a bit sweeter than Peter Ostrum's Charlie. The other children and their indulgent parents stay as caricatured as those in the original, but I'm not complaining. I have a particular soft spot in my heart for Augustus, the overweight child who simply loves the chocolate too much. Even Christopher Lee (who seems to have a flair for playing evil as of late) shines in his limited role as Wilbur Wonka. My only major qualms lie with Charlie's Grandfather. In both the book and the original movie, Charlie's Grandfather is a fleshed out, round character. While in this edition the writers give Grandpa Joe a back story and a reason beyond simple curiosity for wanting to see the factory, for most of the movie he acts only as a wide eyed gawker with little to contribute other than some cliched advice and little jig. Gone is the lovable patriarch so treasured in the original. However, much of the success or the failure of this movie rests on the shoulders of Johnny Depp, taking the mantle of Willy Wonka so ingrained in our memories by Gene Wilder. Though Marilyn Manson lobbied heavily for the part, I find it hard to imagine an actor more able to both portray the eccentricities of this wild character without appearing campy or over-the top. Rather than the human version of the Cat in the Hat which Gene Wilder embodied, Depp, with his pale face and black hair, seems to have taken a page out of Wacko Jacko's book. He is reclusive, eccentric, engrossed in his work, and most importantly a child at heart. Depp soars as Willy Wonka and gives the character a personality and quirkiness distinct from that of Wilder. Finally, much of the credit goes to Deep Roy who portrays each and every one of the hundreds if not thousands of Oompla Loompas working in the factory. His cigar store indian expression stays glued to his face while performing insane tasks, dancing with reckless abandon, and singing outrageous songs, endearing him to the audience.
Which leads me to possibly Burton's greatest weapon in crafting something both original and unoriginal with success - this version stays much closer to Dahl's book. Almost all of the Oompa Loompa songs make use of Dahl's original lyrics, and this movie stays true to the somewhat darker feel he portrayed. Furthermore, this allows the viewer insight into the deeper motivations of the characters, particularly those of the enigmatic Willy Wonka. We discover that Wonka's father made his living as a dentist and despised candy. We see the woe-begotten children after the factory tour ends, noting who learned a lesson and who did not. Even more vital, the ending differs from the original, and we see where Charlie's true loyalties lie. Although a bit cheesy, you'll enjoy the tug at your heartstrings at the movie's conclusion.
Another characteristic that distinguishes this movie is it's use of special effects. While quite well utilized, the numerous CGI effects neither intrude upon the main story of the film nor detract from its reality. As stated earlier, the different incarnations of Deep Roy as the Oompa Loompas both amaze you and tickle your funny bone. The comedy in the film creates laughter in a quirky manner akin to Conan O'brien or Monty Python, with fun bouts of randomness and crazy gags. The comedy and movie as a whole truly succeed because all the actors "play it straight." Burton avoids the typical remake pratfalls of blatant winks to the audience and the overuse of meta-humor. The subtlety is the key. That's not to say that I enjoyed every part of the movie. It runs long, particularly when the plot strays from what seems like the natural ending point. Also, some characters, particularly Charlie's family, could use a bit more development, and Charlie's other grandfather is just plain abrasive. Though arguably a children's movie, the message presented is typical and a tad trite. Some scenes appear just a little too wacky or improbable to exist even in a storybook, and sometimes the skill and presence of Johnny Depp overshadows his costars.
However, good musicians who play cover songs retain the strengths and blueprint of the original, but add enough of their style and flavor to make it their own, and the cast and crew of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" do just that. The movie stays sweet and innocent enough for children, and interesting and humorous enough for adults. The wild actions of Willy Wonka will make the kids laugh hysterically and the parents smile. Wonka fans will approve of this new adaptation and Wonka rookies will like the film's inventive and light atmosphere as it stands on its own. Tim Burton's masterpiece of a remake that lets the viewer remember the original fondly and still enjoy the new and different is a breath of fresh air in a dull array of summer movies. Highly recommended for a fun lighthearted movie watching experience.
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