Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a Ireat Iain W. Reeve, A&E Editor and Junior Chocolatier ike many who grew up watching the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, starring comedic super-genius Gene Wilder, I had my reser- vations about a remake of Roald Dahl’s classic story. While I can say that the 1971 version will always have the biggest place hg in my heart, this venture by Hollywood goth-film trinity Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, and Danny Elfman is certainly worth seeing. It is somewhat ironic that while the 1971 version of the film was adapted for the screen by Dahl himself, the new ver- sion of the film is a much closer transla- tion of the original book, though somewhat modernized. Gone are the darker undertones, such as the treachery of Mr. Slugworth, the bubble soda that was nearly the end for Charlie and Grandpa Joe, and the delightfully psyche- delic boat ride. While these things are missed by fans of the original, it was nec- essary to leave them behind in hopes of creating a new adaptation. Very few things are left out from the book. There is a huge emphasis on all four of Charlie’s devilish tour companions, letting us get to know each of the children in all their terrifying glory. The picture’s casting is brilliant, espe- cially the kids who play Mike Teavee, Augustus Gloop, Violet Beauregarde, and Veruca Salt. Freddie Highmore, who plays Charlie, seems prepared to be the next big child actor after great work here and in last year’s Finding Neverland, also with Depp. The only major addition to the story is the focus on Willy Wonka, who is given an entire back story. This adds a little more depth to the character and the story. It also makes the movie a little longer, which is a good thing. Depp brings a very differ- ent take on the character than Wilder did. Where Wilder’s Wonka was believably nutty and subtly unstable, Depp portrays him as somewhat more off the wall. A lit- tle less nuanced in his absurd comments and actions, this Willy is as awkward as he is insane. The grandparent’s are gorgeous- ly played. Senile consistently steals the show with her non- Aunt Georgina sequitur comments, such as when she tells Willy Wonka that he “smells like nuts.” Not to be outdone, Wonka retorts, “You smell like old people...and soap. I like it!” The music is a big accomplishment as well. While the Oompa Loompa songs from the original cannot be outdone, Danny Elfman does a neat job. Using the lyrics from the book for the songs about each of the spoiled children, Elfman crafts four unique songs in four different styles. The shining musical moment, how- ever, is the entrance of Willy Wonka before the tour. I was in stitches. While a different beast than the origi- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory certainly stands on its own two feet and is nal, thoroughly entertaining and worth seeing. Environmental Responsibility is a Tune | Can Dance fo Kat Code, OP Contributor | when I discovered what an environmental- like good music, and I like seeing acts of environmental responsibility. So, I couldn’t have been more pleased ly responsible approach the fine folks who put on Folk Festival take when it comes to putting on the event that is one of the hall- marks of summer in Vancouver. When I first approached the main East Gate on 4th Avenue, the first thing that caught my eye was the bike parking lot, with enough room for 3,000 bikes. One of the friendly volunteers told me that there were probably 2,300 bikes locked up at any given time, once the festival swung into gear each day. He also pointed out that many of the festival’s patrons who live rel- atively nearby come and go at their leisure, sometimes making four or five trips per day. That’s a heck of a lot of vehicular emissions that folk-music are enabled to prevent, knowing they have a lovers August 10/2005 guaranteed, secure place to lock up their bikes. And the dollar donation asked for is a far cry from the seven-dollar parking offered down the road. The other major innovation that caught my eye was the plate system. All food bought within the festival is served up ona reusable plastic plate—the kind you might use for camping—accompanied by a two- dollar deposit. When you return your plate to one of several plate return stations located throughout the festival site, you have the option of donating your two bucks to the festival to help eliminate its $450,000 debt. A debt, I might add, that is threatening the future of the festival. The plate returns are accompanied by composts, and all food scraps collected will be turned into an eco-friendly fertilizer. Recycling bins are also strategically placed next to garbage cans. Keeping in line with decreasing the amount of waste, patrons are encouraged to bring their own reusable cups for bever- ages. I told a few volunteers and vendors that I want to see them do something about the cutlery next year, to get rid of the plastic stuff. Needless to say, this earned me a few grumbles about the amount of work that would be involved. I hope that more event planners follow this model and adopt more environmental- ly friendly practices. It’s a great thing to be able to sit in the sunshine, surrounded by trees and ocean breezes while butterflies dance on the music that floats through the air. It’s even better knowing that the huge crowd surrounding you is all doing their part to leave the environment as it was before the music makers set up their stages. www.theotherpress.ca | lain's Best of New West picks Iain Reeve, A&E Editor Best non-sensical use of the letter “Q”: New Westminster Quay. Best Place to pet kitties and buy bongs: Sativa Hemporium on Columbia. Best place for “gentle- men” to act like anything but: The Paramount. Best place to see dead bugs without doing your own dirty work: The Bug Lab on Columbia. Best sushi & Best name for a sushi place: Hi, Dozo Sushi 11