The 2005 movie has an equally grand introduction, but it surely’s not Wonka who gives the theatrics. Choral music performs and a crane shot pushes in on Charlie (Freddie Highmore) and the others invited to enter Wonka’s manufacturing unit, rendered right here in brutalist grey concrete. An intimidating voice booms over loudspeaker, “Come ahead,” compelling them to stroll into the constructing’s shadow.
“Welcome to my manufacturing unit,” intones the voice. “Who am I? Properly…” In reply, a manufacturing unit wall opens to disclose a purple curtained, brightly lit puppet present whereby the marionettes sing a sprightly ditty in regards to the wonders of Willy Wonka! Regardless of the dolls’ aggressive cheer and painted on smiles, Burton and cinematographer Philippe Rousselot spotlight the unsettling falseness of the puppets, underscored by cutaways to the baffled onlooker and foregrounding the fears of animatronics that might make 5 Nights at Freddy’s such a Gen Z hit.
On the finish of the tune, the show bursts into flames, leaving everybody bewildered, save for the purple-clad Willy Wonka, who vigorously claps earlier than transferring in entrance of the guests to formally welcome them.
In keeping with behind-the-scenes legend, Wilder got here up with the concept of faking a limp as a option to put together the viewers for his character within the ’70s basic. Proper from the start, Wilder wished to plant a seed of doubt within the viewers’ thoughts, making them not sure of something his character does. To that finish, Wilder performs the large reveal like he’s a magician, a consummate showman who’s by no means not performing for his viewers.
Against this, Depp’s Willy places on a literal present, despite the fact that he’s not a performer. It’s some extent underscored when he awkwardly greets the gang by studying lyrics from “Good Morning Starshine” from Oliver!, a 1960 hippie-dippie tackle Charles Dickens that might have been outdated to even viewers of Willy Wonka.
As with Wilder’s take, the introduction of Willy Wonka right here tells the viewers the whole lot they should find out about this model of the character. He has no connection to the remainder of the world. He lives in a sealed-off wonderland constructed round his personal designs. Wondrous as this appears to the guests, it’s clear that Wonka himself finds eager for extra, even when he doesn’t know the way to join with others. All through the film, his odd asides, his occasional combativeness, his basic discomfort all speaks to a person raised in a world that appears to be made for him however in the end leaves him empty—a sense not unfamiliar to these bombarded by algorithmically-designed media and commercials promising happiness.
