Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

[Nikia]

I watched both movies and then read the book. After reading the book, I thought that Gene Wilder was a much better Willy Wonka than Johnie Depp. I actually thought that right away, but the book reinforced my sentiments.
In my opinion, Johnie Depp places a weird, cold asshole who has no empathy because of his childhood trauma (which wasn't part of the book). The Willy Wonka in the book and Gene Wilder were a bit also eccentric, of course, but they were generally nice guys, who although alone were not so because they had antisocial personalities.

[Dr Fate]

1. I read that the author hated the 70's movie.

I love it- especially the music.

"World of Pure Imagination" is a wonderful song- great melody & even better lyrics.

Is the new adaption a musical?

[Nikia]

3. Only the Oompa Loompas sing

They sing each time one of the bad children have their accidents. Other than that, no one sings.

[LynneSin]

11. The songs matched what was in the book - only the Oompa Loompas

Wasn't Deep Roy just amazing as the Oompa Loompas. Deep Roy is a staple in Tim Burton movies and in CATCF, Deep Roy played ALL of the Oompa Loompas - they all looked like him but they were still so different throughout the movie.

I think Deep Roy should get some credit for pulling off a great part in the movie

[AllegroRondo]

4. Only music in the new one is the "oompa loompah" songs

which used the same lyrics as in the book. Music was by Danny Elfman, but a little out there for me.

[supernova]

5. No, it's not a musical

Only the Oompa Loompas sing in this one.. at the demise of each problem child.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

2. I haven't seen the new one yet

But I reread the book this weekend, and it didn't seem THAT different from the Wilder version.

I keep hearing how radically different that movie was. There are some differences, of course, but, as I say, it didn't seem THAT different.

[Nikia]

8. Well, I don't want to ruin it if you are going to watch the new one

I thought that the book was closer to the Wilder version than the new version though.

[supernova]

6. Haven't seen it yet

reserving judgement until I see it.

Roald Dahl hated the 71 version. I think he hated the script moreso than it being a jibe at Gene Wilder.

[donco6]

14. Dahl hated the 71 version because . . .

. . . it was so jimmied up to push that Wonka candy that came out in conjunction with the movie.

He loved Wilder. His wife loves the Depp version.

[AllegroRondo]

7. I agree - Wilder was better

Wilder came across as a slightly insane genius, Depp played it more like an adult who hadnt grown up. Still, Depp was very good in the role, and I would recommend the movie.

[jmowreader]

16. Slightly insane?

Man, Gene Wilder's Willy Wonka was nuttier than the candy bars he was making.

[comsymp]

24. Agreed - hated that movie as a kid because

Wilder's Wonka came across to me as a freakin' psychopath~

[Divameow77]

9. I don't want to sound shallow but

I have to say I would rather watch Johnny Depp for 2 hours then Gene Wilder, that being said I liked both versions of the movie.

[LynneSin]

10. Gene Wilder was never the problem with the first movie...

..the script, the cheesyass Sammy Davis Jr-style song & dance in the beginning and the fact that the scriptwriter totally destroyed the book in the first movie all added up to what true lovers of CATCF will agree- the first movie SUCKED!!

Willy Wonka was always creepy and never much of a lover of children in the book, so Depp actually wasn't too far off from the way Wonka was written in the book. But I will agree that the father backstory was unnecessary - the only thing it did was create an ending to CATCF that prevents Burton from ever making Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator.

However, that being said, I too have seen both movies and read the books about 100+ times and without a doubt Burton brought the book alive for me. I watched the movie yesterday and when Charlie finally found the winning ticket there were freaking tears streaming down my eyes because it was the way the book described it and then some. Thank you Tim Burton for almost doing it right.

ANd another poster commented correctly - Roald Dahl hated the first movie and refused to give rights to Great Glass Elevator to the folks who made that movie because he was so upset.

[wellstone dem]

12. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

is my favorite book. I read it whenever the bookmobile would bring it, or when I could get it at the library. I've read it many more times as an adult. I really hated the Gene Wilder version when it came out, but have come to enjoy it gradually as I got over my initial disappointment as it could not compare to my fondness for the book. I have not yet seen the new version. Perhaps there are some books that should not be made into movies.

[Bullwinkle925]

17. Sammy Davis Cheesyass?

He was one of my favorites. Always gave a great performance and wonderful show.

[grace0418]

19. Even though I liked Sammy Davis just fine in his own way, I

have to agree with LynneSin that the music in the movie sucked IMHO. It just didn't fit. I don't know what the soundtrack will be in the new version yet, but I have a feeling it will be better.

[Bullwinkle925]

22. Yeah - the music is good in the Depp version.

And I LOVE the look of Tim Burton's movies. He is amazing.

[AllegroRondo]

27. Danny Elfman did a great job.

The music during the opening credits just rocked.

[grace0418]

20. Gene Wilder was the best thing about the first version.

Well, really the only good thing as far as I'm concerned. But I have faith in Johnny Depp.

[grace0418]

13. SEEING IT TONIGHT! SEEING IT TONIGHT! SEEING IT TONIGHT!

*Grace does her happy dance*

I've said it here before but I hated the other version of this movie because I thought it didn't have what I imagined in my head when I read the book. I thought it was too creepy, too drab, the music sucked, the oompah loompahs sucked, etc. And it wasn't even titled correctly for cliff's sake, that really bothered me for some reason- I think because I thought the story should be focused on Charlie (with whom I identified when I read the book).

But I love Tim Burton, I looooooooooooooooooove Johnny Depp, and I loved what I saw in the previews so far. So, needless to say, I am very, very excited about seeing this.

YAY!

[donco6]

15. I loved the movie.

You will too.

[Bullwinkle925]

18. I saw it yesterday .

I thought it was a wonderful Tim Burton film. Johnny Depp was terrific in his part. Great entertainment.
Enjoy.

[barb162]

21. do you recommend seeing it

[AllegroRondo]

23. Yes - but with an open mind

Dont go if you are looking for a remake of the 70s film.

On its own, a great film, lots of fun to watch. Not Oscar level material, but thats not really expected in a 'fun' Summer film anyway.

[derby378]

25. Saw it this weekend

Both Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp have my respect - they both handled the Wonka character brilliantly in their own way.

Props to Deep Roy, too. This guy is something else.

[grace0418]

26. Saw it. LOVED it. The first version doesn't hold a candle.

It was beautiful and weird and colorful and amazing. LOVED IT LOVED IT LOVED IT.

Everything was exactly how I pictured in when I read the book. The room with the chocolate waterfall was SPOT on, and the little ode to 2001: A Space Odyssey was brilliant. I almost wet my pants at the It's a Small World Gone Off the Rails welcome they got from the creepy dolls. That was so awesome.

I couldn't have cast it any better than it was. Freddy Highmore was adorable, the grandparents were perfect. I recognized Grandma Georgina from "The Vicar of Dibley" and Grandpa Joe from "Waking Ned Devine" and I love them both. Helena Bonham Carter was lovely as always. Johnny was outstanding as ever. If anything, he reminded me more of a combination of Prince, Edward Scissorhands, and Carson from Queer Eye than Michael Jackson. Even with all the weirdness and make-up, he's still beautiful. sigh.

I read the book a million times as a child (which is why I hated the first version) and felt so satisfied by everything. Even the addition of the back-story with Willie's father, though not in the book, felt really good to me. I have no complaints there. Even the end didn't bother me. Although it did suggest that there's no "Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator" coming soon. We'll see I guess.

The only disappointing part for me was having the spend the next two hours hearing my husband pick apart everything he didn't like about it and demanding detailed explanation as to why I did like it. ARGH!