Fear and Loating in the Chocolate Factory

So I saw Charlie and the Choclate Factory last night. It was excellent!

[*WARNING* rest of entry may contain spoilers!]

Tim Burton does an amazing job of recreating Willy Wonka's magical world, and Johnny Depp does an even more amazing job of populating it. He really carried this film, there were (I thought) some small nods to Fear and Loathing, (not least when Wonka is in the jungle wearing a very similar british-colonial style hat to the one in F&L). Some of Depp's facial expressions also reminded me of that movie. What I didn't know before I walked in was who had written the score - none other than Danny Elfman - I've been a long time fan of his since he scored the original (& best?) Batman movie, which has a cracking orchestral soundtrack. (The other 2 scores in my top3, if you're interested, would be original Star Wars and LOTR).

Obviously a big part of the appeal of C&TCF are the Oompa-Loompa's songs, so, mixed in amongst Elfman's trademark big orchestral score, you'll find (most of) the songs you love. Roald Dahls original lyrics are accompanied by some inspired up-beat pop from Elfman, and to top it off, choreographed dance-routines from the oompa-loompas! This movie is hilarious in parts, Depp making slapstick look beleiveable for the character. Charlie and Grandpa Joe are also bang on the money, and although the ending deviates from (my memory) of the book, it's not overly offensive. In short - a must-see film.