This weekend, when I was supposed to be working, I basically just messed around a bunch. In addition to enjoying Greensleeves, I also ended up watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I am speaking of the version with Johnny Depp, the newer one (for the record, the older one was Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, not “Charlie”).
I have watched the older one numerous times, and this was my second time seeing the newer one. I must say, the newer one was far superior. Both the movies added in plotlines that were not in the book, but I felt the “Charlie” version was truer to the spirit. It actually made Wonka into a three-dimensional character, explaining his obsession with chocolate and adding in a good message about family and love and mushy stuff. The “Wonka” version added in a silly bit about the recipe for Everlasting Gobstoppers and it was quite stupid in that aspect.
Another major plus for the “Charlie” version was the visual effects work. The actor who played all the Oompa Loompas (he is Indian btw!) did a hilarious job, and the overall effect of all these similar-looking Oompa Loompas was much better than the odd-looking one in the “Wonka” version. The “Charlie” version had a much more magical feel to it, and the coloration of the entire movie was very nice. It was very . . . saturated, I guess you would call it. The dark was dark and the colors were bright. It was very surreal and more the way the factory I always imagined was.
One thing I loved about the newer movie is that they took almost all of their lyrics from the original songs Roald Dahl wrote. I have read the book itself more times than can be counted (I used to have a few of the lyrics memorized), so it was really delightful to hear the original lyrics. :D
While I have said all these great things about the “Charlie” version, the “Wonka” version is not bad at all either. I would recommend both to anyone.
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