Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

It’s a classic Road Dahl story, that was made in to a timeless movie, for children and adults alike to enjoy. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate, is a magical tale of hope and whimsy. Starring Gene Wilder as the peculiar and mysterious Will Wonka, it is hard to believe that it has been more than 40 years since this movie was released.

The film tells the story of Charlie Buckett, a simple and penniless boy, who, by pure luck, winds up winning a Golden Ticket to enter Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. Wonka himself, has not been seen in years, in a bid to keep people from stealing his secret recipes. It is a timeless story, that will have children believing in magic, and adults grinning, as they remember watching the movie when they were younger.

The scenery is simple, yet effective. The film does not need all the special effects that the latest instalment boasts, it is in its simplicity that it succeeds. Indeed the most technical scene in this movie is the boat ride, where the characters are confronted with flashing imagines, that are bound to churn anyone’s stomach. While it does not compare with the CGI of today, you cannot help but marvel and the effects used in this scene.

It takes the right actor to portray Will Wonka, and Gene Wilder is that actor. He does a great job, making the character lovable, magical and unpredictable. In his first scene, he sets up the personality of Wonka, something that is no easy feat to do without words.

While this movie is a must see for young audiences, it does lag in some places.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is one of the best stories of its time, and far better than the newer version. A 7/10 for this timeless film.

Warm Bodies

Warm Bodies, is a surprisingly delightful comedy, with a good story line, and well though out jokes. In an age where vampires, werewolves, witches, and zombies are a big craze, it is nice to see an orginal take on zombies, and even nicer to see a movie get it so right.

Warm Bodies, directed by Jonathan Levine, is the story of an unlikely romance between zombie R, and human Julie. Nicholas Hoult, does a great job of portraying R, and despite the lack of dialogue, he is still able to make the audience connect with his character. Teressa Palmer also does a good job, playing the guarded Julie, a human who fears zombies, but soon realises that there is more to them, then she has been led to believe.

At first glance, the resemblance between Julie, and Bella from the Twilight series is striking, in fact, Julie, looks like a blonde version of Bella, but that is where the similarities end. What Twilight lacks in an engaging story line, Warm Bodies makes up for. In fact, the muttered conversations of the zombies, are far more interesting than some of the lines from the vampire movies. Warm Bodies, has played with what it means to be a zombie, and R, does not try to hide that he is one.

It is great to see, R’s development throughout the film. How he slowly, gets back his humanity, becomes more human.

The apocalyptic world has been created perfectly. The zombies, look real, but not exaggerated, and the ‘bonies’, zombies who are not conflicted about killing humans, are hauntingly frightening. Credit, should be taken, for the fantastic makeup job, allowing the character, although dead, to come to life.

Warm Bodies is a movie I strongly recommend. It has a strong storyline, believable characters, and engages the audience from start to finish. A deserving 8/10.