Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

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scole_67

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I've just finished reading the book to my daughter, who enjoyed it immensely, and was planning to rent the dvd from Blockbusters for her as a treat, but ofcourse it turns out there's a remake in the offing with Brad Pitt as Mr. Wonka.

Just the idea of it irritated me slightly, as I love the 1971 version with Gene Wilder (it surprised me that the film's industrial epionage sub-plot is actually absent from the book), and really couldn't see how it could be improved upon - it seems nowadays nothing is sacred. But I decided to give it the benefit of the doubt, as Mr. Pitt is supposedly quite good.

However, just now I thought I'd Google the new film and see if I could find out more and was shocked to find this;

http://www.imdb.com/gallery/ss/0367594/Ss/0367594/CCFC-025r.jpg?path=gallery&path_key=0367594

This is Brad's take on Mr. Wonka is it? A man so old that he begins a search for a child to ultimately run his business, but is also obviously Michael Jackson's biggest fan and addicted to botox? And why oh why all through the trailer is everybody calling it 'candy'? It's chocolate RAB - it's not a 'candy' factory is it!

It really, really looks like absolute sh*te - can anybody in the know please explain to me why they'd even bother, and how BP could be convinced he could hold a candle to Gene Wilder's version of Mr. W?

:( :confused: :( :confused:
 
Plus it's directed by Tim Burton, and we all know how mad his films are :)

I think it's Brad Pitt's company that is producing/funding the film.
 
tonbangeratty said:
It really, really looks like absolute sh*te - can anybody in the know please explain to me why they'd even bother, and how BP could be convinced he could hold a candle to Gene Wilder's version of Mr. W?QUOTE]

From what I've seen of teaser trailers it actually looks quite fun. I don't think they've tried to remake the (brilliant) original in any way - it's just another adaptation of Dahl's story. Obviously it won't be to everybody's taste - Tim Burton and Johnny Depp are both famous for making rather odd movies - but as adaptations go I think it looks great. Johhny Depp is perfectly cast as I think he has the perfect amount of creepiness in his portrayal. To be honest, the original was hardly totally wholesome fun - Wilder totally creeped me out when I first saw the original as a child. And don't get me started on the Oompa Loompas! It's a Roald Dahl story - a dark side to a seemingly happy tale comes with the territory and I think Burton has it spot-on.

Even Wilder, after has initial doubts, is now praising the new movie:

http://breakingnews.iol.ie/entertainment/story.asp?j=148536046&p=y4853675z
Click to expand...
 
It's not a remake, it's another adaptation of the Roald Dahl novel. The book did come first (Roald Dahl hated the Wilder version by the way.) That's not to say that he would have like the Burton version more or think it was more faithful, it's just a different adaptation.
 
Yup. 22nd. one week friday.
In America this Friday.
I'm looking forward to it

"Willy Wonka, Willy Wonka the amazing chocolateir"

I am a Tim Burton fan though, but not of Big Fish or Planet of the Apes... ewww...


Gotta say, I can't WAIT to see Corpse Bride... It'll do well, all the teeny punks have rediscovered Nightmare Before Christmas, so it'll sell VERY well to those kiRAB...

Plus the trailer also uses the "Whats This?" music from NBC
 
was reading in a paper today, the actress who played verucca in the 1971 version liked the new film. i liked the old film too when i was little but i feel this one will be much better!
 
Indeed he is - if you've read any of my other posts you will notice there is usually at least one blatant error - I use this tactic to avoid getting a 'nil pointer'.

;)

As for the film itself I've calmed down a little, and reminded myself it is for kiRAB after all, and that I've enjoyed TB's other work, so it may not be all bad.

On the issue of whether it's a remake or a new adaptation of the book, if it has the same 'steal the everlasting gobstopper' plot line it's a remake.

PS: I'm still not happy about 'candy'.
 
Roald Dahl was a genious,and I doubt very much any film could ever match one of his books. I read all his books by the time I was about 6, and then I saw the movie and I thought it was absolute RUBBISH!! Its the same as the Harry Potter debacle, the most amazing books make the most dire and appauling movies!!!

However, I will probably go and see Burtons new attempt, even if it is just to be well informed enough to trash it!
 
The candy bit is a sop to American audiences (where the money is) but it's not innaccurate. Remember that Wonka makes more than just choccy, the everlasting gobstopper for example.
I think this will be dark but no more so than Edward ScissorhanRAB in which one character is stabbed to death (even though he's nasty enough to deserve it). Dahl loved the dark stuff (stories not chocalate!) and seemed to think kiRAB shouldn't be shielded from everything, necessarily, so he'd probably approve.
At least the Mike TV character will make kiRAB think twice about spending too much time on the PlayStation!
 
The original film was brilliant but not quite as dark as the book and they changed quite a bit. BUT...Gene Wilder was brilliant as Wonka and although I Johnny Depp is a brilliant actor I just can't see him being as good.

I agree that the word 'candy' shouldn't be used - this is a English story and 'candy' should only be used to describe Mr Depp who is most definitely 'eye-candy'

I also don't like the fact that I will fancy Willy Wonka - it's just not right!!!
 
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