The Pun

WONKA! A Live Cinema Remix

By Matt Heath ⋅ May 5, 2006 ⋅  Email This Post ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

Did you know that the master tapes, with precious sound, music and voice recordings, of the original Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory mysteriously disappeared just before the film’s release in the ’70s? The whole film had to be rewritten and dubbed around that silly Roald Dahl book.

Luckily, the people behind Wonka! found the masters and interpreted them into their own hilarious show. It is the original film onscreen with live voice-over, sound effects and music. It’s a bit confusing at first, but don’t look towards the group of performers at front’they are just components of your home theatre set up. Rather, sit back in the comfortable chairs, watch the screen and go on a magical trip.

The Wonka! ride takes in zombies, alcoholic candy shop owners, Grandpa’s obsession with Batman, Charlie’s love of chimneys and his dangerous drug habit??and that’s just in the first ten minutes.

The voice-overs are on the money. When Willy Wonka opens his mouth to speak onscreen, the live voice is completely in sync, spitting out Wonka’s demented lines about Oompa Loompas or abusing his guests. It is both surreal and brilliant to watch. The scene hooking-up Beastie Boys rhymes must have taken forever to get right, and it is worth the ticket price alone.

My only gripe with Wonka! is that it is too funny. As I recovered from laughing fits, I kept missing the next five jokes. Take the trip to Wonka!