"Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory": 01/04/04 - 01/10/04

Morticia · 01-06-2004, 03:25 AM

This is a thread to discuss the technical and/or thematic merits of "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory".

The purpose being to foster intelligent discussion of films without resorting to "It's a piece of crap." or "It's the greatest film ever." (And so that we all can gain a bit of a film education from everyone.)

We'll discuss a new film each week. Either slade or I will post the film in this forum in advance, and lock the topic until the first day of discussion.

Thanks everyone. We are open to any ideas about running this forum.

****SPOILER WARNING**** of course this entire thread is going to be full of spoilers.

SephirothClone · 01-07-2004, 08:34 AM

Growing up I was never your average kid. I always had a taste for a little bit of difference and I fell in love with the strange and obscure. I read Willy Wonka in 4th grade and we saw the movie after we read the book, it was a moment of which I will never forget. People always bring up surrealism and how it is with more mature movies. Well to me Wonka always had this surreal feel to it. I always felt sick everytime I saw the boat ride. The colors really bring the film to life and the animated characters also bring so much to it. Its incredible how this film only gets bigger as the years pass by.

Sure the movie wasnt accurate to the book. But when I heard that there would be a remake I was worried. No one can top Gene Wilder and no one can recapture the fantasy and obscure shots of the original film. But knowing that Tim Burton and Johnny Depp are behind it I have all fears removed. This is because they arent remaking anything in their mind, they are just making an accurate and honest to the book version. Thus I know that they and everyone will respect the original and the work done by everyone. Wonderful movie and one of my favorite children film's ever.

Billiam86 · 01-07-2004, 10:38 AM

I (like many people) grew up on this movie. Everytime the boat scene came I had to either fast forward or shield my eyes. I actually liked the story with Charlie better in the film rather than the book. In the book all the kids get eliminated and it feels like Charlie just won by default. But in the film, Charlie isn't perfect (who is?) but shows his true character by giving back the gobstopper, and to me, that's much more powerful. Like the person above me said, I fear the remake because I can't see anybody other than Gene Wilder play Willy Wonka. Nobody can bring that energy or random spunk to the character like he did.

Enzian · 01-07-2004, 11:31 PM

My wife recently requested I put this in my (not our, hence requested is the word) Netflix queue for her and our oldest son. Of course, I did.

She grew up with this movie. She's seen it a million times, like I've seen Empire and Raiders. I can appreciate that kind of familiarity, and how it can distort (usually for the better) a person's perceptions. She says she loves the visuals.

I, natch, don't see them. I like my visuals looking like a French movie... Amile or The Fifth Element. Bright and crisp, or dark and sharp.

This movie, to me, had the visuals of a film shown in civics class. You know, the old films on the reel-to-reel projector? Kinda dirty and washed out, but retaining that grip on reality that modern Hollywood glosses over. Imagine a dirty, old episode of Dr. Who, transfered from 8mm.
That's just my modern take on this beloved movie - I don't mean to slam it in an overly-harsh way. I just like me some metaphors and similies when I write.

The songs weren't memorable, like some songs from movies are. I guess the Oompa Loompa chant is catchy, but there's no real melody. Other than that chant, I can't think of a single ditty.
And, what was up with the Candy Man number at the beginning? That poor man can't sing!

The acting was fine. No problems there. It's a kid's movie, after all.

The story. When I was a kid, I used to read Roald Dahl over and over again. He was by far my favorite author! I even wrote him a letter explaining how sad I was that his baby died. My teacher said she mailed it for me.

Who knows.
I loved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. So, I'm familiar with the book in the way my wife is familiar with the movie.

Special effects? Pure 70s. I would absolutely LOVE to see this movie remade by Tim Burton. Luc Besson would be a wonderful choice, only if he agrees to ditch the horrible actors he usually chooses.

Heh. To continue the theme of the vivid French visuals I like to see, I could easily recommend Jean-Pierre Jeunet, also.
But, they were very 70s.

Overall, enjoyable, but imminently forgettable.

So - the real litmus! How did my innocent, unjaded 7 year old son like it? He loved it! He said immediately afterwards that it was his new favorite movie!
But, true to my overall impression, he hasn't mentioned it since.

**SidcupMartin** · 01-10-2004, 12:38 AM

Is the Tim Burton version of this confirmed? If so, then as much as I like the version under discussion here I will be hoping that the darker undertones of the book will be brought to the surface and make it a bit more Dahl like (and I'm sure with Burton at the helm it will be). It is hinted at but I guess they were aiming squarely at the kids market and kept it suppresed.

incubus0 · 01-10-2004, 01:55 AM

One of my childhood, and now adult, favorites.

First time viewing this I was around 5 or so. My mom still reminds me, and anyone who will listen, that I cried at the blue berry inflation scene. To this day I have no idea why that would upset my 5 year old mind, but apparently it did.

About a month or so ago it came on regular TV, and since I hadn't picked it up on DVD yet, I was psyched. While watching I noticed that they had cut out the boat scene. WTF!?! That is, was, and will probably remain my favorite sequence. Not just because it looks cool and cracks me up every time, but also because it builds Wonka's character so well. His twisted sense of humor is built perfectly, and you get what type of guy he is. Without that scene many folks might still be questioning if he is evil or just twisted.

Recently did pick up the DVD, and gleefully watched the boat sequence. That is brilliant acting by Wilder. Johnny better live up to it.

RONINRACER PRODUCTIONS · 04-26-2004, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidcupmartin

Is the Tim Burton version of this confirmed? If so, then as much as I like the version under discussion here I will be hoping that the darker undertones of the book will be brought to the surface and make it a bit more Dahl like (and I'm sure with Burton at the helm it will be). It is hinted at but I guess they were aiming squarely at the kids market and kept it suppresed.

Wow is their no end to the countless remakes of old moves we will be seeing in the future..? Not to say that I have any problem with this particular movie. Actually I somehow feel that had this film never been made I would have missing just a small part of my total childhood experience...

I have been sharing the movie with my 3 year old now, and hoping he will get as much joy out of this classic as I have over the years.

01-06-2004, 03:25 AM	#1 (permalink)
Morticia Administrator Emeritus Film Class Goddess Part-Time PRN Princess Panty Thief Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Devil's Point. Burn baby burn!	"Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory": 01/04/04 - 01/10/04 This is a thread to discuss the technical and/or thematic merits of "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory". The purpose being to foster intelligent discussion of films without resorting to "It's a piece of crap." or "It's the greatest film ever." (And so that we all can gain a bit of a film education from everyone.) We'll discuss a new film each week. Either slade or I will post the film in this forum in advance, and lock the topic until the first day of discussion. Thanks everyone. We are open to any ideas about running this forum. **SPOILER WARNING** of course this entire thread is going to be full of spoilers. __________________ Nope, you really haven't lived until you've fed a naked Fire Dancer a S'more...cooked from her own flaming baton. I reject your reality and substitute my own! "Freeze dried moles. Price as marked." -- Nixon, Suicide Girl

01-07-2004, 08:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
SephirothClone Secret President of the NLWC Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Guess and win $1	Growing up I was never your average kid. I always had a taste for a little bit of difference and I fell in love with the strange and obscure. I read Willy Wonka in 4th grade and we saw the movie after we read the book, it was a moment of which I will never forget. People always bring up surrealism and how it is with more mature movies. Well to me Wonka always had this surreal feel to it. I always felt sick everytime I saw the boat ride. The colors really bring the film to life and the animated characters also bring so much to it. Its incredible how this film only gets bigger as the years pass by. Sure the movie wasnt accurate to the book. But when I heard that there would be a remake I was worried. No one can top Gene Wilder and no one can recapture the fantasy and obscure shots of the original film. But knowing that Tim Burton and Johnny Depp are behind it I have all fears removed. This is because they arent remaking anything in their mind, they are just making an accurate and honest to the book version. Thus I know that they and everyone will respect the original and the work done by everyone. Wonderful movie and one of my favorite children film's ever. __________________ Want pictures of my iguana collection? Just give Ried a PM.

01-07-2004, 11:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
Enzian Producer/Admin Emeritus Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Fort Phoenix	My wife recently requested I put this in my (not our, hence requested is the word) Netflix queue for her and our oldest son. Of course, I did. She grew up with this movie. She's seen it a million times, like I've seen Empire and Raiders. I can appreciate that kind of familiarity, and how it can distort (usually for the better) a person's perceptions. She says she loves the visuals. I, natch, don't see them. I like my visuals looking like a French movie... Amile or The Fifth Element. Bright and crisp, or dark and sharp. This movie, to me, had the visuals of a film shown in civics class. You know, the old films on the reel-to-reel projector? Kinda dirty and washed out, but retaining that grip on reality that modern Hollywood glosses over. Imagine a dirty, old episode of Dr. Who, transfered from 8mm. That's just my modern take on this beloved movie - I don't mean to slam it in an overly-harsh way. I just like me some metaphors and similies when I write. The songs weren't memorable, like some songs from movies are. I guess the Oompa Loompa chant is catchy, but there's no real melody. Other than that chant, I can't think of a single ditty. And, what was up with the Candy Man number at the beginning? That poor man can't sing! The acting was fine. No problems there. It's a kid's movie, after all. The story. When I was a kid, I used to read Roald Dahl over and over again. He was by far my favorite author! I even wrote him a letter explaining how sad I was that his baby died. My teacher said she mailed it for me. Who knows. I loved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. So, I'm familiar with the book in the way my wife is familiar with the movie. Special effects? Pure 70s. I would absolutely LOVE to see this movie remade by Tim Burton. Luc Besson would be a wonderful choice, only if he agrees to ditch the horrible actors he usually chooses. Heh. To continue the theme of the vivid French visuals I like to see, I could easily recommend Jean-Pierre Jeunet, also. But, they were very 70s. Overall, enjoyable, but imminently forgettable. So - the real litmus! How did my innocent, unjaded 7 year old son like it? He loved it! He said immediately afterwards that it was his new favorite movie! But, true to my overall impression, he hasn't mentioned it since. __________________ Ficht nicht mit Der Raketemensch! XBox Gamertag: Enzian 00001 Elitism is ok, so long as you keep it in your pants...or something like that.

01-10-2004, 12:38 AM	#5 (permalink)
SidcupMartin Director/Moderator Captain Paranoia Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Philadelphia, PA	Is the Tim Burton version of this confirmed? If so, then as much as I like the version under discussion here I will be hoping that the darker undertones of the book will be brought to the surface and make it a bit more Dahl like (and I'm sure with Burton at the helm it will be). It is hinted at but I guess they were aiming squarely at the kids market and kept it suppresed. __________________ eternally putting the kettle on

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01-07-2004, 10:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
Billiam86 Actor Join Date: Dec 2001	I (like many people) grew up on this movie. Everytime the boat scene came I had to either fast forward or shield my eyes. I actually liked the story with Charlie better in the film rather than the book. In the book all the kids get eliminated and it feels like Charlie just won by default. But in the film, Charlie isn't perfect (who is?) but shows his true character by giving back the gobstopper, and to me, that's much more powerful. Like the person above me said, I fear the remake because I can't see anybody other than Gene Wilder play Willy Wonka. Nobody can bring that energy or random spunk to the character like he did.

01-10-2004, 01:55 AM	#6 (permalink)
incubus0 Banned Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Massachusetts	One of my childhood, and now adult, favorites. First time viewing this I was around 5 or so. My mom still reminds me, and anyone who will listen, that I cried at the blue berry inflation scene. To this day I have no idea why that would upset my 5 year old mind, but apparently it did. About a month or so ago it came on regular TV, and since I hadn't picked it up on DVD yet, I was psyched. While watching I noticed that they had cut out the boat scene. WTF!?! That is, was, and will probably remain my favorite sequence. Not just because it looks cool and cracks me up every time, but also because it builds Wonka's character so well. His twisted sense of humor is built perfectly, and you get what type of guy he is. Without that scene many folks might still be questioning if he is evil or just twisted. Recently did pick up the DVD, and gleefully watched the boat sequence. That is brilliant acting by Wilder. Johnny better live up to it.