Original and Remake: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Here is my June installment of Original and Remake. This time it's Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.  It is based on the 1964 children's book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. There are two adaptations, the original from 1971 and the remake from 2005.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)

Directed By: Mel Stuart

Starring: Gene Wilder, Peter Ostrum, Jack Albertson

Running Time: 99 Minutes

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

Directed By: Tim Burton

Starring: Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, David Kelly

Running Time: 115 Minutes

By far the original is the best here. I'm not really sure why anyone, especially Tim Burton thought it was a good idea to remake this. Gene Wilder himself said it was disappointing this was being remade and had no interest in seeing it. I originally had no interest seeing the remake either until my grandma mentioned she wanted to see it, so I rented it- I didn't watch in theaters and it was awful. There's just something about the original that really clicks. I only see the original cast as those characters. Gene Wilder will always be Willy Wonka to me. Tim Burton's version is strange and yeah Tim is a strange man and his films are of the different variety but everything about this seemed loud, obnoxious and dark. Besides the original has so many great lines like- " Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker." Those lines go right over your head as a kid and as an adult you find them funny. And the soundtrack is so fun and catchy. Seriously how many times have you heard the Oompa Loompa song parodied in pop culture. So if you are to only see one version watch the original. 

Until Next Time,

Ashley A.