Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Is anyone looking forward to seeing this movie?

I don't know that I'd say I'm "looking forward" to seeing this film, rather, I think it's more attuned to morbid curiosity. For me, no matter how good the movie is, it will more than likely pale in comparison to the original 1971 "Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory". Granted, I saw the original as a kid, and it has a LOT of nostalgic value for me. Gene Wilder was brilliant. The summersault Wilder performs when first meeting the kids, was completely impromptu. It's such an amazing film, even by today's standards, albeit a little dated.

Something I've noticed in both the trailers I've seen so far, and the "HBO Behind the scenes special", is that Tim Burton's film seems to be wall to wall sillyness, interspersed with a serious note here and there. I obviously haven't seen the film yet, and could be totally off on this, but, Burton also seems to focus on Johnny Depp playing "Wonka", versus the original film focusing on the life of "Charlie Bucket". The original also was somewhat a serious and weird film, interspersed with humor. In my opinion, that's exactly why it's such a classic.

Dressing up Depp to look like Michael Jackson is a mistake on Burton's part. I like Depp as an actor, and I think he's got immense range, but this will probably be the most bazaar, and my least favorite of his roles to date.



- Josh

I strongly admire Depp as an actor. He truly is an avant-garde artist, and I have slowly realized how amazing his talents are. Depp looks really interesting as Wonka, despite similarities to Michael Jackson. Hell, just look at his acting in "Benny and Joon", he could have been in silent films!

Depp scares me more than usual in this film, but maybe it's just lousy previews.

i want to go see it! i think it looks like fun, plus it just reminds me of when i was a kid and the original film. i want to go see how they made the chocolate factory look even more yummy to eat!!

plus, i think depp will do a good job in this film.

It depends if there is going to be a bunch of sining in it like the old movie was.

Well, that's just it; I'm not saying Wilder is a bad actor because I've obviously enjoyed his career, I'm simply saying Depp is more dynamic. I find Depp to be a better character actor in many areas when compared to Wilder, but that is not to say I dislike Wilder. After all, many Mel Brooks films would have been disasters without him.

Marketing could very well be the reasoning behind the feel of the trailers. But, ever since I saw the very first trailer with Depp, there was a certain something about how he looked and acted that creeped me out, and I couldn't put my finger on it until recently. Maybe this is just because of recent events, but the way Depp looks, and is portraying "Wonka", completely reminds me of Michael Jackson and the allegations surrounding him. I'm sorry if that offends anyone, but, it just creeps me out.


Tim,

You're obviously a Depp fan, as am I, but I disagree with you on the comparison to Gene Wilder. I think they're just too different to compare really. Wilder is a genius at physical and suggestive comedy. Something I haven't seen Depp accomplish yet. Wilder seems to be a bit more expressive in his facial emotion as an actor than Depp is. Then again, I can't imagine Wilder, even in his prime, playing the lead role in "Pirates Of The Caribbean". It's just apples and oranges to me. Even now, with the "Wonka" remake, they're playing completely different roles, and are completely different movies. I think it would be fair to say that Tim Burton movies are in their own genre altogether. So, that being said, both the movies and the roles are only similar in storyline only. The look, and emotion of the two films will be as different as night to day, I think.

Is anyone else going to be looking for the "Burton" Easter eggs?



- Josh

I gre up with the film also, but am having different feelings toward this remake than have been shared thus far on the boards.
I am very curious to see what it is going to be like. And I agree that Depp may surprise many with his protrayal of Wonka! I have become a bigger fan as he continues to grow as an actor, and ttruly believe he is going to bring something extraordinary to the movie.

And, although the trailers look to be more humorous than serious, I don't think they will stray too far from the original's feel. I think they just may be playing this up more for marketing purposes.

So far the film is picking up very good reviews, so don't knock it just yet. And Depp can't do better than Wilder? I'm afraid that Johnny has proven himself far more dynamic than Wilder could ever have dreamed of being. And from the previews I have seen, Depp acts a little closer to what I would have expected from the character in the book. Well, we'll see.

Tim