2 Movies

Charlie & the Chocolate Factory

I'll be honest, this wasn't the best of movies. Not that any of the actors were particularly bad or anything in what they did - in fact, the actors themselves were the best part of the movies. The characterizations were very good, though in a very Burton-esque manner Depp's performance was a lot over the top. And the overt darkness of things wasn't really necessary.

Two things were clear, the screenwriter read the books, and liked the side-stories that they told. The inclusion of the chocolate mahariji was very interesting, though quite out of place, and a waste of time in the movie. The inclusiuon of Wonka's father was nice. But the movie took so long to get going, that it rushed far too much once they got to the factory. Best addition was the kids leaving the factory after the tour/contest was concluded. Most unnecessary was ending the movie in what would chronologically be the beginning of the 2nd novel (Charlie & the Great Glass Elevator).

Worst, most failed part of the movie was the Oompa Loompas. Though having the inclusion of their origins was nice, their musical numbers, while spiced up and modernized were quite incomprehensible at times. Leading me to feel they would have been best left out.

In short, I feel that the original movie was a much better movie, and a much better story. It flowed better, and had more to it. And it was just more fun. I wouldn't rush to see this movie in the theater, I'd just go rent the original (well okay I wouldn't because I have it on DVD).

*****

Sky High

This movie will never win any awards, but that said, it was just quite fun to watch. Enjoyable all the way through (though of course, I'd have liked more special effects). What we did see was fun to watch, and the whole dynamics of the movie was very enjoyable. The characters were in their parts well.

The story, if you've got the eye for it is a bit transparent, and I had it pegged (except for the minor plot twist) in the middle of the movie. Not that that sort of thing is bad, it can't really be a complicated movie being basically a kids movie.

People who like superheroes will like this movie. That's just the way it is. The end is very fun (basically one of 3 fight scenes in the movie). And the people who wrote it defintely had a good feel for how High School generally is (from what I remember).

Anyone could take their kids to it, and easily explain away the "violence" as superheroes and kids will get that, which is good.

It made me reminisce about "Kid Super Power Hour" and Hero High a bit. Which is basically what it was, only modernized and live action.