Charlie and the Choc Factory - Page 5

[ledzepplon]

Maybe I'm weird, but I loved the Gene Wilder version. I think it's still on my top -five favorite movie list. But I also love all Roald Dahl books--especially The Twits, Matilda, The Witches, Revolting Rhymes, Fantastic Mr. Fox, and the BFG. No, the Gene Wilder version doesn't follow the book, but it has a charm to it.

I'm a little reluctant to see the new Chocolate Factory based on the previews (it looks loud and obnoxious, and Depp's Wonka seems beyond eccentric and just plain creepy). But I'll probably go anyways . . . wait! No I won't, I haven't seen a movie in a theater for more than a year! I'll see it when it's out on DVD.

[lorijds]

I love most of Dahl's books, and I loved the new movie. Though, I actually never saw the old movie to the end; I HATED the old movie. Even as a kid.

I like the ending change. Dahl gets even a little too wierd for me, and I think that Burton et al make that happier change in then end.

I like the gothic aspect; just like in Burton's other movies, just like in the Series of Unfortunate Events movie.

My entire family really, really loved the movie. JD's WW totally grows on you. My dh and I were both skeptical, but we both loved it. Our kids, 7 and 10, were cracking up the entire time. They both liked the movie more than the book! I must say, I did, too.

Lori

[Dragonfly]

I completely agree with CB's review (and such an eloquent review, at that :LOL). Well, almost completely. I don't agree that Depp's Wonka was the least bit Michael Jackson-esque.

This movie was much more true to the book - something that always bothered me about the original. I was thrilled that they didn't repeat the bogus Fizzy Lifting Drink scene from the first (for the sake of authenticity and also for the reason that CB noted). And I thought the Oompa-Loompahs were actually entertaining in this one, as opposed to annoying in the first. I also really appreciated that they were the only musical interludes in the movie.

A note on the complexions: The way the characters' make-up was done was highly stylized. You first notice it with Augustus Gloop. It contributes to the surreal quality of it all but also seems to mark the difference between the other children and Charlie (who appears much more real and less disturbing).

For Suzannah - I took my almost-5-year-old yesterday and he loved it. He doesn't scare easily from movies, though. For comparison, he watches the HP movies, with the exception of the final scenes in the first 2 (because I think they're too violent) and the part in the 3d where Lupin turns into a werewolf (because he's disturbed by the whole concept of werewolves). The only somewhat frightening part, IMO, is when Veruca Salt gets tossed down the garbage chute by the squirrels. There is a little levity in the scene, but I could see how it would be a little disturbing to a child.

[Suzannah]

Thank you so much for those responses. I appreciate them mightily. I think we will take DD to see it, knowing that we may have to leave if it's too intense. I talked to her today about it, warned her that it might be a little scary, and she said she was brave enough for it.

I can't wait to see JD's Willy (ha...). He is so talented and makes really interesting choices. Gene Wilder freaked me out a little, and I was also unhappy with the digression from the book in the original movie (although we love it here at our house, I saw it for the first time last year...). I will add a review when we go see it.

[annettemarie]

If you go here
http://guide.real.com/?rnd=112139345...ion=6.0.12.857
and click on the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory pic you can downsize some goodsized clips, including the squirrel scene and the first oompa loompa dance.

[Shantimama]

My kids didn't like it much. We have it on tape and we have read it together a couple of times and they decided they like it that way rather than the movies, they say their imaginations are way better than either of the movies. For that, I liked the movie - it took away that power that all-things-screened often hold over children and taught them that books rule, even though the occasional movie is fun.

[DaryLLL]

We saw it today! We loved it. My kids are teenagers and have no fondness for the 1st one. And we love Johnny Depp. His role in this reminded me a bit of the old Edward Scissorhands quirk. The sensitivity and vulnerabilty.

I wish I would not have seen the chocolate river scene over and over in commercials so it would have comes as a Land of Oz ahhhh...surprise.

Spoiler:

His first scene he cuts a ribbon and holds a large scissors.

His last scene with his dad, hugging the creepy Christopher Lee, seems a redemption of the loss of the Vincent Price father in ES.

I did not know Helena Bonham Carter, Burton's dp, would play Charlie's mom!

Grandpa Joe was cast much better in this one than in the 70s one.

I expected, from reviews, to mind the flashbacks to his childhood (a deviation from the book), but I totally liked them! It made the final ending that much more sweet.

[*green*faery*]

Has anyone seen it yet?? I went on the first day....

It was nothing like I expected. I had very high hopes and seeing the previews made me worried....

but it was soooooo great! Insane! You should see it! It was very trippy, so I could see how some people may not like it, but it's so different from the first and from what I hear, holds more true to the book. I loved, loved, loved it! How could I ever doubt Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, and Danny Elfman!


*erin*
#1 edd 10/29/05

[lula]

Ok, help me settle a debate with dh's best friend (who has never read the book but loved the first movie)

He is convinced Dahl supported the first movie. I think (vaguely recall reading SOMEWHERE) that Dahl had an original screenplay but they axed it, brought in a new writer, Dahl hated the original version and it wasn't until after he died and his second wife started selling things off that new movies were introduced.

I however have the habit of overwhelming with facts so as to make my arguement more "persuasive."

lula

[Alkenny]

I took the older ones to see it yesterday...we all liked it though it wasn't an "OMG!" movie for any of us. Much closer to the book though, and JD was great!

[chiromommy]

We went to see it on Friday. Dh and I took both girls (3 and 5) and they loved it! Gwen sat through the whole movie. She also likes Harry Potter, though. Neither of the girls were disturbed by it.
I was so unsure of this movie and I must say Depp and Burton pulled it together! I want to see it again to take in more of the visual things.

[ledzepplon]

Originally Posted by lula

Ok, help me settle a debate with dh's best friend (who has never read the book but loved the first movie)

He is convinced Dahl supported the first movie. I think (vaguely recall reading SOMEWHERE) that Dahl had an original screenplay but they axed it, brought in a new writer, Dahl hated the original version and it wasn't until after he died and his second wife started selling things off that new movies were introduced.

I however have the habit of overwhelming with facts so as to make my arguement more "persuasive."

lula

I think there is some kind of mini-documentary about the original movie at the beginning of the Willie Wonka DVD. Perhaps it might say . . . (I own the movie, so I can check later when I get a chance).

[nicole lisa]

Oh, we just went last ngiht and DS LOVED it. I did too. Burton movies pull you in right away - it was just magical watching the opening scene of the chocolate being poured and boxed up and the Bucket's house was so so perfect!

I loved how WW's skinwas almost completely black and white (but by the end there was a hint of flesh colour).

DS (almost 5) had no problems at all (it really held his attention and he didn't wiggle once) and says his favorite scene is the one in which the puppets catch fire.

I have to admit they did such an amazing job in bringing to life the kids that I took great pleasure in watching them get picked off. I laughed out loud at Veruca and her mom in those hideous matching track suits and each time Willy almost barfed when trying to say the word parents.

Very very fun.

Yeah! I am so glad to have a new version of this.

[annettemarie]

I just remembered something I thought of at the movie- the scene where Charlie shared the chocolate around with his family seriously reminded me of Holy Communion. Am I weird for thinking that, or did it occur to anyone else?

[messy mama]

My mother and I took my 6 yo DS and all of us loved it. I felt like a little kid, I was almost bouncing up & down in my seat. DS wasn't scared at all and we are pretty picky about the movies we let him see.

To me, the creepiest looking person in the movie was Violet's mother. YIKES!!!

JD was just beautiful!!!!

My DS said something cute today re: Charlie .... He said that he wishes he could live at WW's Choc Factory so he could eat everything and it would taste sooo good. I agreed. Then he said, "except everything would be organic. Very, Very organic". I thought that was super cute.

[aishy]

I loved it. Worth the loooong wait *G* I agree that Violets mother was creepy, there was just something about her that freaked me out. i didn't find the movie "scary" at all. My kids didn't come with us to see it, they said they wanted to play at grannys house instead & why would I argue with saving money?? : )

aisling

[boingo82]

I love the actress that played Violet's mother - Missi Pyle - she is very beautiful in almost a creepy way. She was also Jenny's mom in Big Fish. Great character actress.

[isleta]

My brother and I took our kids and we all loved it!!! Amazin' Plus JD did give me that MJ feelining, but got over it. In line the manager was relieved when someone said they liked it. Apparently, she stated that many people were complaining because it was too weird. I was like, hello it's R. Dahl

[Viola]

My 16 year old niece who is married to Orlando Bloom but who cheats regularly with Johnny was on her way to see the movie for the 4th time yesterday.

I found the movie visually interesting and I loved the casting for the most part. I loved Augustus Gloop--he was so pink and round and fat. I found Johnny Depp's mouth fascinating. I guess it was part of the father as a dentist thing.

This movie in some ways was closer to the book, but it did diverge in its own ways.

I liked the scene with the scissors.

My daughter almost seemed a little bored at times, but claimed she wasn't. I was. The oompa loompa scenes just didn't do it for me. I was wishing I had some acid trips to fall back on. :LOL When Violet Beauregard was introduced with that karate scene, my daughter said, "Wow! I didn't know karate was so LOUD." I was cracking up at that. I still think I like the original Violet better, but I loved Charlie and his dad.

[DaryLLL]

Originally Posted by Viola

My 16 year old niece who is married to Orlando Bloom but who cheats regularly with Johnny was on her way to see the movie for the 4th time yesterday.

: :LOL