Jul. 23rd, 2005

richardf8: (Default)
Just saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Amazing film.

Depp's Wonka is far more interesting than Wilder's. While Wilder's Wonka comes of as an in-control, omniscient God of Morality, Depp's Wonka is this really curious Peter-Pan figure who has issues. He seems very decentered, and as his guests meet their destinies his part seems passive aggressive. The Wilder Wonka seemed more about scaring children; this one is more about scaring parents.

There were lots of great movie tributes, ranging from Ben-Hur to 2001: A Space Odyssey, and I think I even caught a reference to Amazon Women on the moon. But I guess the funniest thing I saw was the Oompa Loompa tribute to Busbey Berkeley.

Tim Burton's directorial hand is very solid and sure, and the images of mechanization done to perfection. Burton makes really good use of symmetry, repeating patterns, and deep perspective that are a delight to the eye.

My chief quarrel: the character of Mike Teevee was revised to be a gamer, and quite sharp; but the Lyrics for Dahl Mike TeeVee were retained intact, resulting in a certain dissonance as he was accused of a passivity that he did not, in fact, manifest.

March 2025

S M T W T F S
      1
2345678
9101112 131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
3031     

Most Popular Tags

Page Summary

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags
Page generated Jun. 9th, 2025 03:45 pm
Powered by Dreamwidth Studios