Really random poll.

[mrv3000]

[Poll #1316147]



They were playing Charlie and the Chocolate Factory last night - the 2005 version. The more I watch this version, the more I like it a whole lot better than the original. I even like the songs better in the new version. Also Johnny Depp re-imagined the character successfully - not mimicking Gene Wilder.

Not sure why I have this on the brain.

Comments

[unfolded73.livejournal.com]

I read the book long before I ever saw either of them. When I saw the Gene Wilder version, I hated it - I thought, Willy Wonka's supposed to be sort of dark and creepy, what the f*$& is this? I thought the Johnny Depp version came much closer to what I imagined from the book.

[babylil.livejournal.com]

I thought, and it's ironic if you look at the difference in names, that the 2005 version focussed far too much on Willy Wonka and ignored everything else. It seemed to me like it was really just an exercise in seeing how creepy they could make Johnny Depp. Don't get me wrong, his acting was excellent as usual, but it felt like they sacrificed the story for the acting.

On the other hand, I've adored the 1971 version since I first saw it as a small child, so it's entirely possible I'm biased.

[chloris67.livejournal.com]

I never liked the original version. I don't know why, but it didn't appeal. The new version, on the other hand, I quite enjoyed. I liked Depp in the role, I liked the production values, and really just the whole look of it.

[vegmb.livejournal.com]

I really like both versions and it depends on my mood which I would rather see. Today, I'd go with the older version b/c I am just kind of into the classics at the moment...watched It's a Wonderful Life over the weekend with my sister. If asked at any other random moment, I might have said the newer version.

[boro-girl.livejournal.com]

Heh. I had this very discussion at school today as they were playing the original! I think I prefer the original one; not that this means I don't like the recent one.

As you said, Mr Depp reimagined the character and I did get into it. But the first one is such an integral part of my childhood. I watched it so many times, I sang along to all the songs (as I did again today!) and to me that light hearted, almost bopping-along-happily nature of it is what childhood should be like. The remake - to me - seems a little bit darker, a bit more forboding, and JD's Willy Wonka was a bit creepy!

Both of them have roots and creedence in the book, and it was a perfect reinvention of the GW version rather than a remake. But I think the simplicity of the first movie, before the CGI and computer trickery advanced to such a level, gave the whole *feel* of the book more weight. Somehow the image of Charlie and his parents and both sets of grandparents all under one roof (and mainly in one bed too!) feels like something that belongs more in the world of yesterday rather than today.

(I know this is not strictly true, I know there is some abject poverty going on, but I'm sure you get my meaning of it.)

GW as Wonka sums up the childish view of your heroes. You idolise them, proclaim to love them, and should you get the chance to meet them they not only live up to but sometimes surpass your expectations. JD provides the other view; you meet them and they're hungover and putting up with you, and probably only there 'cause it's good PR or a pay check or something...!

[ivydoor.livejournal.com]

Okay, so I chose the '71 version, because Gene Wilder is just SO iconic as Wonka.

But if I'm going based on book interpretation and visualizations, I'm going to pick the 2005 version.

[wiliqueen.livejournal.com]

I prefer WW primarily for childhood sentimental reasons, but I do think the Burton version is more Dahlesque. I say this having only actually seen a test version about two months before release. Really should get around to seeing the final cut.

[selenityshiroi.livejournal.com]

I prefer the newer one because it's closer to the book. It's also well known that Roald Dahl HATED Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I think Roald Dahl would have liked Tom Burton's adaptation.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

I read the books a very very long time ago. Way too long to remember how it should be. The only thing I really remember were the Vermicious Knids, which scared the hell out of me. :D

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

They did fudge the characters a bit in the newer version. Like suddenly Willy had this whole childhood trauma storyline (which I actually kind of liked), and Charlie had a dad and so on.

I liked the original version, but I never really loved it, which probably helps for liking the new version.

[the-lucky-stars.livejournal.com]

I saw WW when I was very young and chose it for purely sentimental reasons, I suppose - I do love the second one, though.

[rachelbeann.livejournal.com]

Well...I admit I'm biased in my obsessive, frightening love for Johnny Depp's acting, but I prefer the newer one. I agree with Lindsay, though, in that the story-line itself didn't pack a punch in the 2005 remake. I guess after enjoying the original it was interesting in this movie to simply focus on the character of Willy Wonka, assuming we've got the story down...

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

I liked the original - I just didn't love the original. (That tunnel scene in the original - someone was on acid for that one.)

One thing I like about the new version is the humor. Like talking about flashbacks happening regularly...today. :D

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

Ah, nice! Yeah, they're different enough from each other that they can both be enjoyed, depending on mood.

[janetmaca.livejournal.com]

I've never seen the 2005, so I can't really judge, but I felt that the 1971 version was quite dark, a lot more so than I expected.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

Heh. I had this very discussion at school today as they were playing the original!

WEIRD!

But the first one is such an integral part of my childhood. I watched it so many times, I sang along to all the songs (as I did again today!) and to me that light hearted, almost bopping-along-happily nature of it is what childhood should be like.

I think that makes a big difference. I watched it as a kid, but for some reason I never felt really attached to it. Maybe because I watched so many old musicals, that it was just one of many?

Somehow the image of Charlie and his parents and both sets of grandparents all under one roof (and mainly in one bed too!) feels like something that belongs more in the world of yesterday rather than today.

Hmmm. That's interesting. I can't say that really struck me. One thing I did notice was that you couldn't really tell where the new version was supposed to be taking place. It was a sort of fantasy Amero-Europe, with a complete mix of accents.

GW as Wonka sums up the childish view of your heroes. You idolise them, proclaim to love them, and should you get the chance to meet them they not only live up to but sometimes surpass your expectations. JD provides the other view; you meet them and they're hungover and putting up with you, and probably only there 'cause it's good PR or a pay check or something...!

HA!! I think that sums up the differences between the two nicely.

[nandamai]

I never liked the original. As a kid I thought it was just mean. But I haven't seen the new one yet. I love Johnny Depp but I have to be in the right mood for his wackier performances.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

Okay, so I chose the '71 version, because Gene Wilder is just SO iconic as Wonka.

He really really is.

But if I'm going based on book interpretation and visualizations, I'm going to pick the 2005 version.

I'd read the books again to find out, but...Vermicious Knids! SCRAM! *shudders*

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I wonder if anything got changed between the test and the final cut.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

Did he really? I didn't know that.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

It does seem to be a part of many childhoods. :)

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

With the story not packing a punch, do you think it was because you already knew the basic story being told? Or something else? *is curious*

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

In some ways the 2005 is even darker. The humor is a lot darker. But in other ways it's a bit more fluffy. Like Willy reconciling with his father and a fairly fluffy ending.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

I liked it for the most part, but there were parts that creeped me out as a kid. Like the tunnel scene. I also didn't like it when Augustus got stuck in the tube. Well, I didn't like it in the new one either, but I have "CAN'T BREATHE!!" issues.

You probably would have to be in the mood for this performance. It's very wacky. A dark kind of wacky.

[jcd1013.livejournal.com]

My best friend and I went to see the new one in the theater. We were the only ones there. Even being able to mock it as loudly as we wanted, it wasn't enough to save the movie. I was pretty disappointed as I love Johnny Depp and I walked into the movie thinking I was going to adore it. I was absolutely bored and really, really irritated by the Oompa Loompa.

I guess I'll just have to stick to the books as being my favorite (I loved Charlie and the Glass Elevator).