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July 17, 2005
chapter 19
Moved a significant (4-page) portion of 19 over to 20, wrote an extra page to help flesh out the world.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was unique and pretty, with better production value than the older Willy Wonka, though I missed Gene Wilder's deadpan (and highly quotable) one-liners. Johnny Depp's Wonka was less weary wiseass and more neurotic smartass; he reminded me of Manservant Hecubus crossed with an undead Peter Pan. I didn't love it to bits, but I did like it, and I got several sinister giggles out of it.
It reminded me of how difficult and simple a child's view of the world can be. Of course whipped cream involves whipping a cow. Of course trained squirrels make the best nut-seperators. Of course chocolate mixed with a waterfall makes the lightest and frothiest chocolate.
I think there's a trend in fantasy writing to try and find explanations for the why and how of magic; the science of it, per se. I think it takes a deft touch to find the middle ground that still leaves some of this to the reader's imagination. That keeps magic magical rather than the pseudo-medieval equivalent of a raygun or automobile.
To use Star Wars as an example: Did people really need an explanation for how the Force can be manipulated? Did we really need to see how (easily) Anakin was duped turned? Did we need to know how much young Obiwon kicked ass? Well, okay, yes on the last one. But so many imaginative avenues were snuffed in three films. So much magical fire was stolen.
Ah well. I'm totally babbling and misspelling stuff left and right! A sure sign that bed is calling. Yawn!
Posted by sdshaver at July 17, 2005 03:28 AM