Last Friday, Tita Akel took us to Downtown Disney to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I was kind of hesitant at first because Anna, Bobby and I just were wiped from that day's jiu-jitsu session... but in the end we agreed to see it with her, 'cause afterwards she was also going to take us to the midnight launch of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. :)
So there, we got to the theaters some minutes before the 10:15 pm show. Killing the extra time was really easy - we walked around Pleasure Island, checked out the cool stores and popped inside the Candy Cauldron (sweet shop with large staues of the Evil Queen peering at buyers) for extra large cookies.
I'm sure movie buffs and die-hard Wonka fans saw the movie way ahead of the rest of us, with their advanced screening tickets. Well, I was just lucky to be there (like Charlie) on its opening night. I had my golden ticket, alright. :)
I wouldn't have it any other way.
Regardless of what my Tito Mike says about the first version (starring Gene Wilder, a movie that reminds you of happier times, according to Tito Mike), I'd have to say that Tim Burton's version is the BEST. It's dark, not really the kind of movie for kids who grew up watching Disney flicks, but is perfect just the way it is. It remains faithful to the book yet adds a clever twist to the story. Plus, Johnny Depp (Wonka) and Freddie Highmore (Charlie Bucket) did a seamless job of fleshing out the characters. I know a lot of people would find the movie too weird and twisted. But that is the essence of Roald Dahl. The man is a sinister but nonetheless brilliant storyteller. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was never meant to be a fun, "sanitized" Disney-type flick... And maybe, that's why I love it so much.
Applause to Tim Burton and Johnny Depp - the perfect marriage of weirdness and genius.
Must see:
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (again)
- Corpse Bride (coming out Fall 2005)...
Another gothic love story from Tim Burton. The animation resembles that in the Nightmare Before Christmas. I'm really looking forward to seeing this one. :) - Pride and Prejudice, starring Keira Knightly as Elizabeth Bennett. I love period films and Jane Austen. Also comes out around Sept. this year.
