Young Frankenstein (1975)

There is no doubt that Mel Brooks is the king of spoof, especially when you think of such greats as Blazing Saddles (1974), High Anxiety (1977), Robin Hood: Men in tights (1993) and, of course, Young Frankenstein. Gene Wilder (Frederick), Marty Feldman (Igor), Peter Boyle (The Monster), Teri Garr (Inga), Cloris Leachman (Frau) and Madeline Kahn (Elizabeth) star in this silly, at time's bewildering and uproarious comedy. Kenneth Mars provides good support as a police officer with a really weird accent.

Dr Frederick Frankenstein (it's pronounced 'Fronkensteen'),  is busy living down the heinous experiments of his grandfather Victor Frankenstein. Who specialized in bringing dead people back to life. One day Frederick discovers he has inherited the castle of his crazy grandfather. At first Fred thinks that Victors experiments were "doody", but after discovering a book written by Victor, he decides it just might work. And it does.

This movie was an extremly funny experience, in my humble opinion it is better than Blazing Saddles, which is considered Mel Brooks' greatest achievement. Gene Wilder and Marty Feldman keep the ball rolling throughout with Garr, Leachman, Boyle, Mars and Kahn following close behind. With such a large amount of memorable characters it would hard to say which was my favourite. But i think i may have to say Igor (Eyegor), played by Marty Feldman. he was irreverently funny throughout.

The films knowing parody of the universal horrors of the 30s (many of which starred Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi) is perfectly pulled off at every point. The 'Puttin on the Ritz' number is perfect, it's entire execution (coupled with the Black and White) further parodies the insane amounts of horrors and musicals that came out in the 30s. It was both smart and hilarious.

The lines. Oh wow the lines. I won't spoil them for you but i can guarantee that you will laugh at almost everything that Marty Feldman says or does. Teri Garr is also quite funny, along with Kahn's first scene at the train station with Wilder, which is perfectly timed by both actors. I can keep going and say how much else there is about this movie that makes it so good but that would be spoiling it for you. Just know that it is a really great movie and one of the funniest movies of all time. In my opinion.

"Oh where are you going?... Oh you men you're all alike! seven or eight quick ones and then you're out with the boys to boast and brag. You better keep your mouth shut!... Oh i think i love him" Elizabeth (Madeline Kahn), Young Frankenstein

Charlie and The Chocolate Factory (2005)

last night I saw this for the second time in my life, i just thought i should clarify (for those who aren't so hot with years) that is the one with Johnny Depp, you may remember that the one Gene Wilder was called Willy Wonka and the Chocolate factory. anyway this is my review:

Now i haven't got many gripes about the acting, Johnny Depp is as weird as ever in it and i certainly like his interpretation of Willy Wonka. Freddie Highmore as Charlie Bucket was no scene stealer but he is able to put across the innocence and selflessness of Charlie. The other Children in it are all capable and portray the selfishness of their respective characters quite well. Helena Bonham Carter is also in this (in a relatively small role) and she was good. David Kelly who plays grandpa Bucket also fills his character well and has some good energy.

It is capably directed by Tim Burton who always portrays a wacky and surreal sense of humour in these types of films (see: Alice in wonderland [2010]). His idea of Oompa Loompa's was a disappointment though, they were pretty lame i have to say. the 70s version had much better ones. The songs used for said Oompa Loompa's was also disappointing, they were too childish and squeaky, i know that the movie is really just a kids movie but hey that doesn't mean the songs have to be bad. But then again, how can you top 'Oompa Loompa doo ba dee dee'?

Many key elements of the book were left out, but i won't go into that because i don't have a good memory. i personally preferred the goose eggs in the Gene Wilder version over the squirrels used in this and the book but it's nice that this one stayed faithful to the Roald Dahl classic. the burping soda (another of my favourite parts in the original film but wasn't in the book) was not in it. A little part of me wishes that those 2 things were in it even though they weren't in the book- as a sort of homage to the Wilder classic, that's just me. The ending was also slightly different, however i think i prefer the ending of this version rather than the book and the original films ending.

It is quite unfair to compare this to the Gene Wilder classic, it's obvious that it is trying to be it's own film (perhaps explaining the different name?), sometimes it fails: Johnny Depps craziness can only go so far in some scenes, as i said before the Oompa Loompa's are lame, and the flashbacks to Wonka's childhood could've been done without.

I have to say that this does not match up to some of Burton's other re-imaginings but it's not a complete fail either, it is a kids movie with a nice/cute message, but those who have seen the Gene Wilder version (which i'm sorry is much more solid) may not enjoy it as much though. This movie is nowhere near a masterpiece but you could do a lot worse when it comes to re-imaginings of classics. Egad i hate the 90s version of Alice in Wonderland.

"Look mother i'm much more flexible now" 
"Yes but you're blue" Violet Beauregard, Mrs Beauregard