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07/19/2005: "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"

Well, I saw it yesterday. And to be honest, I'm not sure if I liked it or not.

I knew that liking it would be a longshot, considering it's a Tim Burton film, and I can't stand his movies. Too weird for me.

And his version of CCF certainly qualifies as weird.

Johnny Depp was perfect as Willy Wonka, though I still think Gene Wilder is the king. Still, Depp's version was entertaining. And I loved the boy who played Charlie.

I don't want to discuss much about the movie because I don't want to risk spoilers, but I will say that the Oompa Loompas were effin' creepy. I had nightmares. In fact, I'll go as far as to say that they completely ruined the movie for me.

So I give a thumbs' up for the main characters (all of them were great, including Charlie's family and the kids in the major roles,) the humor, the scenery, and the story. A thumbs' down for the weirdness, the flashbacks, and the scary-ass Oompa Loompas.

But hey, I'll give the popcorn two thumbs up.

Replies: 12 brave souls responded

on Tuesday, July 19th, Emma said

I can't wait to see this movie! I hadn't seen the first one until recently because I hatehatehate musicals and didn't want to see something that'd be just awful compared to the book. I like a lot of Tim Burton movies, and the book was effing weird, too, so I think it should be just perfect for me.

As for the Oompa Loompas, they can't possibly be more nightmarish than the ones in the original.

on Tuesday, July 19th, Larissa said

Oooh, I hate musicals, too! But I adore the original Wonka movie, which I thought stayed truer to the book, in that it was Charlie's story. Charlie's story really got lost in Burton's version, which focused more on Wonka's story, though I like the new Charlie better.

And yes, the Oompa Loompas ARE more nightmarish. *shudders* And I liked their songs in the original better, as well.

on Tuesday, July 19th, Sasha said

I saw an interview with Johnny Depp and the boy that plays Charlie. It's the same boy that was in Finding Neverland with him.

on Tuesday, July 19th, Amy said

Sounds like something to avoid with my 3yo and 5yo!

on Tuesday, July 19th, Larissa said

Sasha, I haven't seen Finding Neverland. I'm not a big Johnny Depp fan, so I tend to avoid movies he's in--though I LOVE him in Pirates of the Caribbean! *g*

Amy, I went with an 8 year old and 4 year old, and they sort of enjoyed it. It's very adult, and the beginning is super slow. The 4 year old almost fell asleep. The scary Oompa Loompa factor is more adult-ish, I think. I don't think kids would find anything disturbing about the movie at all. I just found the Oompa Loompas to be too weird for my tastes.

on Tuesday, July 19th, Jordan said

I just wish they would've used more than one Oompa Loompa.

on Tuesday, July 19th, Shesawriter said

Tim Burton is too creepy for my tastes. He just doesn't mesh well with children's films. I hated Nightmare before Christmas, and I'll prolly hate Charlie too. The only reason I'd go see it is for Johnny D. I'd watch him do sock puppets, the guy is so talented.

Tanya

on Tuesday, July 19th, Danica said

See, this is why remakes suck. Give me Gene Wilder any day.

on Tuesday, July 19th, Teresa said

I really want to see this. I don't know when we'll make it though. My hubby is dying to see War of the Worlds.

on Wednesday, July 20th, Sasha said

You should give Finding Neverland a chance. It's so much more than just a Johnny Depp movie!

on Wednesday, July 20th, Jill said

I'm afraid to see this movie because I only like Johnny when he's sexy ...

on Thursday, July 21st, Cece said

As much as I love Depp I'm not a big Tim Burton fan either nad I'm still working out issues in therapy brought on by watching the Original Willy Wonka
Think I'll pass. Something about WW has always really creaped me out.