| Overall Grade: |
A+ |
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| Story: |
A |
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| Acting: |
A |
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| Direction: |
A+ |
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| Visuals: |
A+ |
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The Way It Was Meant to Be
by Jairus (movies profile)
Jul 21, 2006
120
of
137 people found this review helpful
Ok, I have glanced over many of the review here, and some of the more negative ones seemd fixated on the fact that "it is not as good as the original" etc. While I understand the sentiment of seeing something different than one had engrained in them from childhood viewing, I feel the need to point out that the original was based on the book...and the "original" was nothing like the book in the way Wonka was supposed to be or in its style and tenor. That said, I have nothing against the original, one should just not judge this movie against it.
Tim Burtons film is pretty much perfect in capturing how Willy Wonka is supposed to be and captures the style and tone of the book. Wonka is supposed to be this rather awkward, eccentric, wierd man who does not really like much of anyone and who is focused on his own adgenda...that of making candy. Depp's Wonka is not exactly like Wonka in the book, however he is MUCH closer than Wilder's Wonka ever came to capturing the spirit of the character Dahl created. Overall, Depp's performance was right on the ball.
This movie is not for really young children either...but then, even the original traumatized my sister when we saw it as children. The film has some more frantic bits that might distress some children. This also fits in more with how Dahl's book was like. His story was more akin to an old cautionary tale....bad things happen to bad people...which is why we should be good.
The story itself and much of the dialogue is straight from the book. The Oompa Loompa's songs ARE stright from the book..which was a nice touch for someone who has read it. Tim Burtons particular twisted style fits in perfectly with the images and situations that happen in the story. All in all, very nicely done, and for me, a definite buy when it comes out on DVD(and you may take my word, I do not buy many films on DVD....I am quite picky).
Before I finish I just want to say:
Do not go to the theaters expected a re-packaged Wilder Wonka....it is nothing of the sort...this is merely a return to how the book was...so keep an open mind, and most importantly..read the book if you can, it is not horribly long...and yes, the book is quite safe for adults to read, as well as children. |
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