Willy Wonky
13Jul2005 Filed under: Pop VulturaSadly, I agree with Philadelphia Weekly Online’s review of Charlie & The Chocolate Factory:
Speaking as a diehard fan of Depp’s strangest performances, it breaks my heart to admit this one just doesn’t come off. … There’s nothing organic about Wonka’s freaky flourishes — we always remain stubbornly aware we’re just watching Johnny being all weird again. Also, this time he’s not as funny as usual, and despite the striking visuals and a terrifically mean spirit, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory simply cannot hold together if there’s not a convincing Wonka at the center.
Johnny Depp is STILL amazing, and this is STILL a good movie, but I have high standards for Mr. Depp and this just isn’t on-par with his usual magic. He makes some interesting acting choices, but I don’t really think they work. But bravo to him for being daring.
PS: Ebert & Roeper agree.
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6 Responses to “Willy Wonky”
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Hey there. I'm Ariel Meadow Stallings, a native Seattleite who's written my way up and down the Left Coast. Electrolicious is where I post daily randomata, but I also write for a living. My first book, Offbeat Bride, was published last year.
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mark
July 13th, 2005 at 10:47 am
You are breaking my heart. I’m gonna see this on Friday and have been eagerly anticipating it . . . though a bit concerned that Burton is so dismissive of the Gene Wilder film which I love. When’d you see it?
Ariel
July 13th, 2005 at 10:55 am
Press screening last night.
leblanc
July 13th, 2005 at 1:29 pm
damn!
however, i guess i figured as such - how could one possibly improve on the original? it’s like remaking the wizard of oz. also, i was really surprised that anyone remade this while Gene Wilder is still alive…. isn’t that kind of rude and disrespectful, kind of like saying “your portrayal was good, but we think we can do it better”? i wonder what he thinks about it.
i’ll still go see it, though…. i mean… it’s Johnny Depp.
Ariel
July 13th, 2005 at 1:34 pm
Yeah, don’t get me wrong: Johnny on a bad day is still one of the best actors of all time. This is a movie well worth seeing.
sarah
July 13th, 2005 at 6:28 pm
i had those same thoughts when i saw the previews months ago. and i LOVE depp….but after seeing some of the clips i just remember making this “ew” facial expression.
jayfader
July 15th, 2005 at 1:37 am
that’s the thing with classics - they usually shouldn’t be tweaked…depp is so hard to tap sparingly.