Saruman and Michael Jackson

...oops... I mean, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

I really liked this movie. What's not to love about a movie with so many trained squirrels in it?

I just watched the 2005 version. The one with Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka. But you should try to watch the 1971 version first. And perhaps try and get the novelisation of the movie too, here.


Johnny Depp is simply wonderful as Wonka. It's especially funny how Wonka went with the creepy, bleached-complexion, big dark-glasses look. Inviting children into his 'fun-land'.... How many times can you say Wackie Jackie?

Anyway, Willy Wonka is just wonderful. Less flambouyant than the '71 incarnation, more disturbed, and has more depth. Funnier too. But Gene Wilder had better lines.

The Oompa-Loompas no longer have orange skin, and finally have the African skin as Roald Dahl always intended. The new dance numbers are equally as disturbing as the original one with orange midgets. Seeing an army of identical Oompa Loompas was marvelous, in a weird kind of way. But the songs weren't as catchy as the '71.

I actually remembered watching Willy Wonka and the Chocalate Factory when I was very young. The few images I remembered best were the giant blueberry, the TV chocolate, and the Bubble Room.

They didn't bring back the Bubble Room for this one. Although curiously, they did spend a lot of effort to do the boat ride through the tunnel. But without the disturbing psychedelic montage of weird images. This is seen only in certain editions of the old movie. Kinda makes you wonder what the director was thinking when he put images of worms and chickens in a kid movie...

There's no earthly way of knowing,
which direction we are going.

Not a speck of light is showing,
So the danger must be growing,

For the rowers keep on rowing,

And they're certainly not showing
Any signs that they are slowing...

And the bit with the 2001: A Space Odyssey 's Monolith music was funny. Everyone saw that coming, right? Surely I'm not the only one geek enough to watch the Stanley Kubrik sci-fi?!

Am I?

The ending is more Hollywood now. With a daddy-hug and everything. But by the time the movie has already built up a healthy credit of well-being that I easily forgave it.

Publish this, and gonna watch it for the second time now.... Just fast-forward the first 30min, the movie doesn't begin until Wonka appears.