Charlie and the Chocolate Factory review

[Miss Vicky]

I just got back from seeing this one and I laughed my ass off and most of the audience actually applauded at the end. Admittedly, I've never read the book and only ever saw the original movie in a middle school Spanish class... not exactly the best way to see it.

I thought all the bright colors were quite stunning and definitely gave the factory that sort of child's fantasy land appeal, a sort of Neverland made of candy. However, I think the constant comparisons between Johnny Depp's Wonka and Michael Jackson are a little ridiculous. Were you expecting a big curly blond afro puff like Gene Wilder had? This is Johnny Depp and Tim Burton, of course he's going to have a different, darker sort of look.

I will say though that I'll probably have nightmares of crazy oompa loompa's jamming in a Queen-esque sort of band, coupled with a Kiss-like band of the little freaks.

Was quite pleased to see Helena Bonham Carter as Charlie's mom, though I rather prefer her in darker roles, like Marla in Fight Club. Am very much looking forward to her other recent collaboration with Burton and Depp, "The Corpse Bride" a claymation film a la "The Nightmare Before Christmas." Anyone know the release date for this one?

[trackaghost]

Originally Posted by NaiveMelody23

I'm sorry, but this movie was SOOOO good. The only thing I didnt like was the annoying Oompa Loompa songs, but I tihnk Burton has made antoher good film. Personally, the 71 version did nothing for me, and I have always adored the book.

It is much closer to the book and Depp is wonderful.
I did enjoy it, just was disappointed it wasn't darker. Burton says he is too happy these days to make dark films and it shows. I really miss that edge.
I think the only thing I really disliked was Wonka's back story, which wasn't in the book.
Why try and explain him? He's mysterious and strange, that's part of his appeal. I thought the stuff with his dad was lame (despite it being Christopher Lee). Wasn't too keen on the ending either.

[sara1998]

Originally Posted by trackaghost

I think the only thing I really disliked was Wonka's back story, which wasn't in the book.
Why try and explain him? He's mysterious and strange, that's part of his appeal. I thought the stuff with his dad was lame (despite it being Christopher Lee). Wasn't too keen on the ending either.

I haven't read the book, but I plan on it soon. The stuff with his dad is kinda lame.

[ontheEdgeof17]

Originally Posted by Miss Vicky

Am very much looking forward to her other recent collaboration with Burton and Depp, "The Corpse Bride" a claymation film a la "The Nightmare Before Christmas." Anyone know the release date for this one?

Hrmmm. I saw previews for this before Fantastic 4. I can't remember if it is this fall/winter or next fall/winter.

[NaiveMelody23]

Originally Posted by trackaghost

It is much closer to the book and Depp is wonderful.
I did enjoy it, just was disappointed it wasn't darker. Burton says he is too happy these days to make dark films and it shows. I really miss that edge.
I think the only thing I really disliked was Wonka's back story, which wasn't in the book.
Why try and explain him? He's mysterious and strange, that's part of his appeal. I thought the stuff with his dad was lame (despite it being Christopher Lee). Wasn't too keen on the ending either.

Well, I dont think Burton wants to scare kids with this film...I mean Willy Wonka was scary and that scene with the dolls exploding was a little weird, so I understand what you mean. I didnt like the dad story that much either, but it is sort of funny.

[NaiveMelody23]

Originally Posted by ontheEdgeof17

Hrmmm. I saw previews for this before Fantastic 4. I can't remember if it is this fall/winter or next fall/winter.

september, i think

[The Chain]

Tim Burton is the absolute BEST director in flimmaking history, in my oppinion. He's the reason I'd like to become a director. Sure, anything from Mars Attacks to Planet Of The Apes (besides Sleepy Hollow, or Big Fish) isn't his best work, I think Edward Scissorhands (the best film in history, in my oppinion) easily makes up for it. Charlie & The Chocolate Factory was great. Like others have said, it wasn't as dark as I expected, but I think it's a real jump back to classic Burton.

[trackaghost]

Originally Posted by The Chain

Tim Burton is the absolute BEST director in flimmaking history, in my oppinion. He's the reason I'd like to become a director. Sure, anything from Mars Attacks to Planet Of The Apes (besides Sleepy Hollow, or Big Fish) isn't his best work, I think Edward Scissorhands (the best film in history, in my oppinion) easily makes up for it. Charlie & The Chocolate Factory was great. Like others have said, it wasn't as dark as I expected, but I think it's a real jump back to classic Burton.

Well I disagree a little here. I do think Burton has a unique voice and wonderful macabre, gothic style but I don't think he's the best director ever. I can however see how he would inspire people to become filmmakers
I also think Mars Attacks is a fantastic film. It often gets criticised but I personally prefer Mars Attacks to Big Fish, which I felt was rather manipulative.
The ending of Charlie was such a cop out too, with everyone playing happy families at the dinner table. I even saw Burton being interviewed today and he said that he prefered the bit where Depp grimmaces when Charlie talks about families. I really wish he had changed that ending.

[DrummerDeanna]

Well I saw it.

I enjoyed it overall - but I didn't like Johnny Depp's portrayal of Willy Wonka. The Michael Jackson thoughts just kept coming and coming and it was freaking me out.

The kids were great - that Highmore kid is just amazing.

I LOVED the Puppet Burn Unit as well - laughed my ass off at that one.

I am still mulling over exactly how I feel about the film...I did like the way they did the Buckets and their home and the grandparents- good stuff.

[dissention]

I saw it on Saturday and was very disappointed. I love Johnny Depp and would even call him one of my favorite actors, but he was just wretched. Too cartoonish and just plain obnoxious. The whole subplot with his father being a dentist was simply torturous and idiotic to the point where I wondered if the creative forces behind the movie had any brain cells, or if they thought that disaster of a plot line up after doing a few lines of confectionary sugar themselves.

The children weren't developed at all and were just there. They weren't memorable and came as across as little kids acting. Very poor.

One of my favorite scenes from Willy Wonka was when he finally let everyone into the factory to eat all of his candy. It seemed to come after such a long buildup that it was almost orgasmic when he finally bowed and let them run free. In the new one...they just...went in. Nothing special, they just went in. How blah.

Loved Grandpa Joe and Charlie, though.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by DrummerDeanna

I LOVED the Puppet Burn Unit as well - laughed my ass off at that one.

The scene where they all burned in front of the factory was brilliant, I was gasping for air.

[GypsySorcerer]

It was okay. Visually, it was stunning. The scenes with his father were ridiculous, though. I enjoyed Charlie and his family the most.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by GypsySorcerer

I enjoyed Charlie and his family the most.

The bad teeth were a very nice touch, I thought. Grandpa George was a riot, too.

"Told ya he'd be a porker."

[all the same]

Originally Posted by dissention

I saw it on Saturday and was very disappointed. I love Johnny Depp and would even call him one of my favorite actors, but he was just wretched. Too cartoonish and just plain obnoxious. The whole subplot with his father being a dentist was simply torturous and idiotic to the point where I wondered if the creative forces behind the movie had any brain cells, or if they thought that disaster of a plot line up after doing a few lines of confectionary sugar themselves.

The children weren't developed at all and were just there. They weren't memorable and came as across as little kids acting. Very poor.

One of my favorite scenes from Willy Wonka was when he finally let everyone into the factory to eat all of his candy. It seemed to come after such a long buildup that it was almost orgasmic when he finally bowed and let them run free. In the new one...they just...went in. Nothing special, they just went in. How blah.

Loved Grandpa Joe and Charlie, though.

I absolutely agree! I was going to say that I thought Johnny was terrible in it. I can't think of a single role previous to this film that I haven't loved him in. But he was HORRIBLE as Willie Wonka.

I also thought the film lacked magic. The only scene that made me feel magical and giddy was when they went into the chocolate waterfall room. The rest of the rooms were too tech and stark for what you'd think a chocolate factory would look like. I wanted more magical moments! And Tim Burton for sure knows how to do magic. Edward Scissorhands. Beetlejuice. The Nightmare Before Christmas.

I was SUPER excited about seeing this film but honestly thought it sniffed for the most part.

[all the same]

Originally Posted by dissention

The bad teeth were a very nice touch, I thought. Grandpa George was a riot, too.

"Told ya he'd be a porker."

What about the grandma who said "I like grapes!" That was damn funny!