This is a pretty insulting title for a review, I know. But I don't like fantasy as a rule, and Roald Dahl's imagination tends to creep me out severely, so there was no point in my seeing this film at any point over the past 40+ years, even though I was the target age when it first came out in theaters. But, it finally came up free on streaming and I figured what the heck, I could always turn it off.
I haven't read the book or seen the Johnny Depp re-make (there's another guy who creeps me out severely), but I do like Gene Wilder, he turned in a good performance here, and he was reason enough for me to finish the whole thing. I kept forgetting it was a musical just a handful of mostly lame, forgettable, awkwardly-inserted songs. To show you how little I knew about this film going in, I was actually surprised to find that the song "The Candyman" originated here. (Back to severely creepy for a moment: whoa, that Candyman guy needs to be closely watched by local law enforcement; he just oozed 'predator'!)
The four grandparents in the same bed together all those years was disturbing thanks, Mr. Dahl, for yet another grotesque image. I can only imagine what some small children might think of the chubby kid getting stuck in the chocolate pipe, the "funhouse" boat ride, etc., not to mention the scary-looking Oompa Loompas heck, I'm twice their size and I wouldn't mess with 'em! Of course, any tour that starts with the signing of a waiver immediately indicates how dangerous this tour is going to be, so viewers (not to mention the characters) have been fairly warned. Who even *thought* about waivers in 1971? Almost nobody, right? And was I the only one wondering why minor children were allowed to sign this supposedly legal contract instead of their guardians?(Okay, I'm over-thinking this part, but still that looked ridiculous.)
To those who complain that it didn't follow the book: as I said, I haven't read it, so I can't agree or disagree. But I would point out that the "Wizard of Oz" movie wasn't especially faithful to the book either. (Thank goodness I couldn't stand the book!)
Watchable. Not lousy, not good, but watchable(particularly for Gene Wilder fans).
I haven't read the book or seen the Johnny Depp re-make (there's another guy who creeps me out severely), but I do like Gene Wilder, he turned in a good performance here, and he was reason enough for me to finish the whole thing. I kept forgetting it was a musical just a handful of mostly lame, forgettable, awkwardly-inserted songs. To show you how little I knew about this film going in, I was actually surprised to find that the song "The Candyman" originated here. (Back to severely creepy for a moment: whoa, that Candyman guy needs to be closely watched by local law enforcement; he just oozed 'predator'!)
The four grandparents in the same bed together all those years was disturbing thanks, Mr. Dahl, for yet another grotesque image. I can only imagine what some small children might think of the chubby kid getting stuck in the chocolate pipe, the "funhouse" boat ride, etc., not to mention the scary-looking Oompa Loompas heck, I'm twice their size and I wouldn't mess with 'em! Of course, any tour that starts with the signing of a waiver immediately indicates how dangerous this tour is going to be, so viewers (not to mention the characters) have been fairly warned. Who even *thought* about waivers in 1971? Almost nobody, right? And was I the only one wondering why minor children were allowed to sign this supposedly legal contract instead of their guardians?(Okay, I'm over-thinking this part, but still that looked ridiculous.)
To those who complain that it didn't follow the book: as I said, I haven't read it, so I can't agree or disagree. But I would point out that the "Wizard of Oz" movie wasn't especially faithful to the book either. (Thank goodness I couldn't stand the book!)
Watchable. Not lousy, not good, but watchable(particularly for Gene Wilder fans).