Here, here! I definately agree!

I think the original "Chocolate Factory" is wonderful, it's one of my favorite movies. But one of the reasons I think it works so well is because the director and the actors envisioned Willy Wonka as a semi-psychotic character. That part of Wonka bled over into the rest of the film, making it a strange, Pink-Floyd-like acid trip. And yet, with all that 70s campiness, it retained the essence of what Roald Dahl wrote. As far as I see it, it was the interpretation of the story that made the film a classic.

So consider this if you will: if you read the book without ever having seen the movie, the semi-psychotic aspect of the Wonka character isn't so clear. If they're re-making the movie, re-capturing Gene Wilder's approach is going to be tough, and I don't think even Tim Burton could pull it off. But, if they're re-telling the story, I'm sure Tim Burton will do it justice, Johnny Depp or not. While Johnny'll probably never be the "Wilder Wonka" as we know him- is that what we really want? Johnny Depp trying to be Gene Wilder in an updated version of the film? No, probably not.
Hollywood isn't re-making movies, they're re-telling stories. And why not? They're better than the new stuff coming out now. Cases in point: Swimfan, FearDotCom, 28 Days Later, etc.

Doompa-Dee-Doo.

There are quite a few differences between the movie and the book (the most crucial being the fact that the book lacked Charlie vs. Wonka confict of any kind) and while I can appreciate the movie for what it is (a crazy cheesy 70s cult classic), the book's version of the story is far better. I think the writers of the screenplay decided that the story didn't work without a conflict that would lead to some sort of "climax," but the climax in the movie feels pretty forced, and I think the movie could have worked better without it.

I think that instead of remaking the movie, which will fail no matter how good of a job they do because too many of us associate the trippy Gene Wilder version with our childhoods, they should do a closer adaptation of the book this time.

Need I even mention how excited I would be to see Johnny Depp in that role? It would either be completely brilliant or too bad to watch.

HRMP.

I'm still waiting for a movie adaptation of the sequel. You know, the one with the glass elevator??

As a kid, I liked that book even better than the first one! It was way cool! Space aliens and stuff! :)

JAM, Johnny Depp wasn't in Powder. :)

I like Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory the way that it is.

Cream, I gotta agree with you. And no matter how much I would like to see Johnny Depp in funny clothes, I don't think anyone should mess with that movie!!

He was only cool in 21 Jump Street. Since then, it's been a real free fall in terms of his career.

-Rudey
--That was such a cool show.

*BUMP*

Has anyone seen it yet? I want to go tonight but I'm guessing the theater will be packed tonight.
I'm curious what everyone thinks. Some critics are giving the movie the highest ratings while others are saying it's just mediocre.

I haven't seen it yet, and while I do plan to, from the trailers, Johnny Depp seems kind of creepy in the movie, in a Michael Jackson'esque kind of way.

I'm curious about it to. I love JD, but he does look a bit creepy in this movie.

I just got back from seeing it, and I loved it. I heard that Roald Dahl's family commissioned Burton to redo it and they were much happier with this version since they loathed the original. Gene Wilder has been speaking out against this one, but the original wasn't true to the book. I thought the effects were good and it was very entertaining :) I thought I wouldn't like Johnny Depp's version of Wonka after seeing the previews, but I actually liked it a lot. He's odd in an endearing sort of way, not in a Jacko sense.

for some reason the characters look funny in the previews. maybe its the lighting. anyways, i dont plan of watching this.

Interesting...
 

I just got back from seeing this one and it was good. Different from the first but in a good way. I missed the oompa loompas though, they just aren't the same now.

It is much truer to the book and Depp did good, he wasn't as good as he was in Pirates of the Carribean but I think it will be hard for him to top that role.

There are some funny one liners in it which was good for the adults but I think a lot of it went over the kids heads. My son was very confused but I think he is still a little young

:)

The special effects were good and really added to it.

Overall I think it was good but for those of us who grew up on the first it will be a little hard to watch (I was comparing a lot). Depp and Wilder were so different as Wonka it is impossible to compare them though.

Worth seeing, maybe hold off on kids under 7 or so going.

Re: Interesting...
 

I loved this movie! I thought it was magical :)

Johnny Depp was fantastic as Willie Wonka. In fact, I thought every actor in the film did a great job. It definitely had that signature Tim Burton "feel" to it, plus Danny Elfman did the score so those things might not be to everyone's liking but I'm a Tim Burton fan (as are my daughters) and I thought it was terrific.

Oh, and I definitely agree with the poster upthread who mentioned the one liners that went over most of the kids' heads.

And AGD's will love the squirrel scene! :)

We saw the late show last night in a nearly empty theater. I really enjoyed it. It was definitely different than the first and definitely a Tim Burton film, but still a good show.

I thought some of the dialogue was a bit forced in spots, but all the actors did a very good job. The audio was turned up a little too loud in our theater which made it difficult to understand parts of the Oompa Loompa songs, but I liked how they used one guy for all the Oompa Loompas.