I really did not think the title would be harder to say than "Scrumdidilyumptious". Aside from the fact that it has too many "and"s for one title, it shows why Tom and Jerry and Willy Wonka don't belong together, yet somehow the makers decided to shoehorn them in together. Why? Money of course, but also because this was the late Gene Wilder's most beloved movie. This came out months after he passed away, and it upset the internet world, even more than Tom and Jerry's encounter with The Wizard of Oz.
I don't need to mention what the plot is: it's just the Willy Wonka story with Tom and Jerry in the background. But to shoehorn their importance in the film, the makers decided that Tom and Jerry should have a conflict with Mr. (Not) Slugworth throughout Charlie's visit to the factory and make him a misunderstood antagonist for no reason. Out of all the problems in the film, that one gets me the most irritated. Anyone who's seen the original (1971) version know that he's not a bad guy, so it makes no sense why he's chasing Tom and Jerry. And even if kids never saw that movie, it's still stupid. Because in the end they have an all out scene where Tom, Jerry, Tuffy, and Charlie confront (not) Slugworth, before Wonka reveals to them "He was my assistant all along." So if he was a good guy, what was he doing making his good deeds sound deliberately diabolical, and not telling Tom and Jerry, "Hold it, I'm on your side," or even Tuffy (the oompaloompa guide) recognize that he's not a bad guy?
What are other issues that bother me: The human characters look hideous, Charlie's voice actor speaks in a constant monotone (even when he's suppose to be excited), Willy Wonka's sarcasm is lost to monotoned acting and subplots, the famous lines of the movie are rushed out or glanced over, and every moment with Tom and Jerry feels phoned in and boring. Yes, somehow Tom and Jerry chasing each other feels boring now. Thank you, movie. Also, I hate Tuffy. He steals attention away from the Wonka story, speaks for Tom and Jerry, and his obnoxious goal is the same as in The Wizard of Oz: get taller. While it made sense in The Wizard of Oz for him to wish for height, it doesn't in this movie.
However, I still look for diamonds in the rough. What are the good stuff? Everybody's a good singer, and the guy voicing Willy Wonka sounds a bit like Gene Wilder (only when he sings, the rest is monotoned). Apart from Charlie and a kid or two, most of the other voice actors are good and try their best. Jess Harnell as Grandpa Joe is easily the best part of the movie. He just puts all his energy into the character and sounds like he's having a great time. Even the cringey song "I've Got a Golden Ticket" sounds fun with him singing it. I just want to eat up this guy! Also, the background animation does try to recreate the feel of the original factory, but does one thing better than the original: the river really looks like chocolate and not dyed water.
Personally the best thing about the movie was that it reminded me of all the hard effort that went into the original Willy Wonka movie and what a masterpiece it was. While it didn't always follow the book, it felt original, fresh, and new. This movie was a direct rip off to cash in on something beloved. Also, it makes me feel sad that Tom and Jerry are now reduced to direct to DVD movies where they have little to nothing to do. There's a reason they were seven minute shorts instead of ninety minutes, and this movie is one of many confirmations why.
