Setting the Bar

I saw this movie initially in the movie theater when it came out and went in very skeptical. It was on television last night and I rewatched it. I was skeptical because I grew up with the Gene Wilder version.  However in watching Tim Burton’s take on this movie last night, I realized that it isn’t a bad interpretation, is actually quite good and probably the one that Roald Dahl would have preferred, had he compared the two.

This is a film adaptation of Roald Dahl’s children’s novel. It held all of what Tim Burton is known for - dark humor, eeriness, quirkiness and cartoonishness. However, unlike his prior movies, joy puts in an appearance as well.  He uses bright colors, particularly in the factories, and we can’t help but believe that this is the way that a child would have imagined seeing the factory. This role confirmed by belief that Johnny Depp is an exqusite actor - he played this role perfectly and his tone and facial expressions were right on.  He channeled quirkiness, sarcasm and cynicism when appropriate, confusion and innocence. The casting was impeccable - all of the children and their guardians are perfect.  This movie was also much more true to the book then the 1971 movie and pays much more homage to it.  I also thoroughly enjoyed Danny Elfman’s soundtrack, which meshed perfectly with the tale and the feeling of the movie.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable movie that should be a part of everyone’s collection.

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