In recent years, Tom and Jerry
have had some unlikely crossover films.
They’ve met Sherlock Holmes and Robin Hood, joined Dorothy in her
adventure in Oz (twice), and even got to be involved in a Johnny Quest chase. But their latest one, Tom and Jerry: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate
Factory, is their most insane yet.
It’s basically a retelling of
1971’s Willy Wonka & the Chocolate
Factory. Same characters, same
plotline, same songs, same key scenes, same lines of dialogue. But made awful. Also, it has Tom and Jerry.
The original classic film is
pretty bizarre already. Reimagining it
in such a way that will justify Tom and Jerry’s participation to the
plot makes the inherent eccentricity unappealing as a consequence, for the resulting
execution and creative liberties are devoid of inspiration, imply disturbing connotations,
or are simply pretty stupid. Willy Wonka
is bigoted against cats. There’s this weird
Oompa Loompa mouse named Tuffy. And
there’s a scene where Oompa Loompas dry-hump each other. Seriously, it’s almost as bad as the Tim
Burton remake (though I admit I kind of liked Johnny Depp’s portrayal of Willy Wonka when I
first watched it).
It’s not even funny. I find the slapstick mediocre. Either the quality of Tom and Jerry humor is poor now compared to before or it has always
been like that and I’ve just outgrown it (as a kid, classic Tom and Jerry cartoons often had me in
stitches).
Tom and Jerry: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is gratuitous,
batty, creepy, dumb, and terrible. It
feels more tediously long than its 80-minute runtime. There might be some entertainment from
it. But either a six-year-old brain or an acid trip is required in order for someone to have a blast with this mash-up movie. Better off rewatching Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (the 1971 classic, not the
remake).
By the way, with their penchant
for animated crossover films, I’m surprised that WWE and Tom and Jerry have yet to collaborate.
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