Saturday, November 12, 2005
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
A little behind the times, I know, but we have finally seen it and heartily approved. It was probably as close as one might ever hope to having the book accurately rendered to film with appropriate adjustments.
If anything, they improved it by explaining why Wonka is the way he is.
I loved the “it’s as if he knew it would happen” treatment of especially the first mishap.
The guy who played the Oompa Loompas deserves an Oscar or some kind of award. At any rate, I hope they paid him exceedingly well.
Charlie was a perfect Charlie. Of the others, Violet was the best done. Augustus was something of a caricature, but that is partly a result of being the first casualty.
Anyway, I will always love the old one with Gene Wilder, but I knew when it came out that it was a big departure from the book and had to make myself accept it as such. This is the real deal.