My wife recently requested I put this in my (not our, hence
requested is the word) Netflix queue for her and our oldest son. Of course, I did.
She grew up with this movie. She's seen it a million times, like I've seen Empire and Raiders. I can appreciate that kind of familiarity, and how it can distort (usually for the better) a person's perceptions. She says she loves the visuals.
I, natch, don't see them. I like my visuals looking like a French movie... Amile or The Fifth Element. Bright and crisp, or dark and sharp.
This movie, to me, had the visuals of a film shown in civics class. You know, the old films on the reel-to-reel projector? Kinda dirty and washed out, but retaining that grip on reality that modern Hollywood glosses over. Imagine a dirty, old episode of Dr. Who, transfered from 8mm.
That's just my modern take on this beloved movie - I don't mean to slam it in an overly-harsh way. I just like me some metaphors and similies when I write.
The songs weren't memorable, like some songs from movies are. I guess the Oompa Loompa chant is catchy, but there's no real melody. Other than that chant, I can't think of a single ditty.
And, what was up with the Candy Man number at the beginning? That poor man can't sing!
The acting was fine. No problems there. It's a kid's movie, after all.
The story. When I was a kid, I used to read Roald Dahl over and over again. He was by far my favorite author! I even wrote him a letter explaining how sad I was that his baby died. My teacher said she mailed it for me.
Who knows.
I loved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. So, I'm familiar with the book in the way my wife is familiar with the movie.
Special effects? Pure 70s. I would absolutely LOVE to see this movie remade by Tim Burton. Luc Besson would be a wonderful choice, only if he agrees to ditch the horrible actors he usually chooses.
Heh. To continue the theme of the vivid French visuals I like to see, I could easily recommend Jean-Pierre Jeunet, also.
But, they were very 70s.
Overall, enjoyable, but imminently forgettable.
So - the real litmus! How did my innocent, unjaded 7 year old son like it? He loved it! He said immediately afterwards that it was his new favorite movie!
But, true to my overall impression, he hasn't mentioned it since.