Movie: Charlie and The Chocolate Factory

Tonight we went to see Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. U. had already seen it, but wanted my opinion. I always have very intense opinions about anything related to a children's movie.

So I'll remark on that first... basically I resent any movies that try to bribe children into seeing them by being cute or fast-paced. This movie definitely doesn't do that. I also don't think that scary movies are necessarily bad for children to see, but I don't see myself recommending this to anyone younger than 10, and even then I'd do it selectively. I'll probably feel more strongly about this when I'm talking about an individual child.

But I just want to talk about Willy Wonka, the character, for a second. Now, I'm at a disadvantage because 1. I barely remember the book and 2. I barely remember the Gene Wilder version of the movie. However, I do remember enough to have seen the Gene Wilder Willy Wonka as being both amazing and menacing. This Johnny Depp Willy Wonka is wacked out and pathetic instead. He's this powerful magician and this meek little boy wound up together. I'm not sure I liked seeing him reduced like that. Now, as always, Johnny Depp was fantastic at the way he played it, but that's beside the point.

There's this other piece too that has to be said, which is that there is no way to watch this movie and not think of Michael Jackson. The movie makers claim that there were no intentional parallels. However, it's really hard not to see it. Which on one hand is fascinating and, on the other hand, a shame. The last thing I want to do is worry about Charlie being in danger by being left the favored child with Mr. Wonka at the end.

OK. I know that that is gross and disturbing. But we had dinner with some nice people on Friday night who said just that... that they wanted to enjoy the movie but couldn't because of the parallels they couldn't help but draw.

As for me, I saw plenty of flaws in the movie itself. Come on! What are these flashbacks? We don't need explanations for this fascinating character. And did he plan the demises of the other 4 children or not? But I enjoyed it all the same. I love Tim Burton's art and that's just all there is to it.

Finally, one last point. Anyone can see that this story is a bit of a morality tale about good, modest children versus bad, spoiled greedy ones. But I don't think that was the only reason why Charlie is favored over the other 4 children. He is the only one who still has imagination. I have to say I was moved when the fourth child is explaining how Willy Wonka is wrong about how science works and that candy is stupid, and Charlie says something to the effect that candy doesn't need to have a point. While the other children don't appreciate what is around them, Charlie is in constant awe.

It's a great message. if you don't have imagination, you can get drowned in chocolate, blown up like a giant blueberry, dragged away by squirrels or transported into a TV by those who do.