Willie Wonka: Gene versus Johnny

[goofyme]

I grew up watching Gene Wilder in willy wonka on HBO (one of those HBO movies they showed over and over...like "the last american vir---") and watched the new version one time and was a little shocked...a little macabre i guess for what i was expecting...i had not watched it again until my kids started watching it in the van DVD player..so i never watch it but hear it over and over (i can repeat the whole veggie tales' snoodles tale("like BJ and the Bear?" "...in Danish"))..so i taped it on our DVR in our bedroom for our four year old to watch and then I started watching it...WHAT A BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE BY DEPP..It's like watching old Seinfeld episodes just to see that one part to see the expression on the characters face ("I'm out!!")...

i am not dismissing the first version at all and Gene Wilder will also make me cry singing "pure imagination", but dang the new version is funny and Depp should have got an Oscar for his performance..

wanted to know if maybe i was just losing brain cells or see if you agree...the thread is open for you to opine!!!!

 

[diznygirl]

I haven't seen the Depp one all the way through - it plays on the DVD player in the truck - but yes it's a bit weird. I did see Johnny asked the question "Which of your characters would you most like to meet?" He couldn't decide, but he knew the one he didn't want to meet was Wonka!

I agree that Depp's performance was great, however I think the Gene Wilder Wonka was just a little easier to like.

 

[rentayenta]

Gene Wilder all the way. Depp was creepy to me.

 

[Mysteria]

Willy Wonka WAS creepy. It's like watching 2 different things almost to me. I like them both for different reasons. Given the choice of only one or the other though I'd take the new version.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Gene Wilder scared the crap outta me in that movie.

Johnny didn't scare me too much. Of course, I was a little older - might have had something to do with it.

I still prefer the original, though.

 

[Hedy]

Johnny Depp....Gene Wilder's too weird for me.

 

[Aimeedyan]

You know, I love them both and think their portrayals of Willy Wonka were both very different. Depp was fantastic, but so was Wilder... I will happily watch either, though I admit the songs by the Ooompa Loompas on the newer version have me giggling.

 

[Seewhatimesdone]

It's weird for me to hear people say Depp was weird in it...Willy Wonka is weird! He's a guy that basically lives alone in a candy factory! I personally like the new one better. But the old one's still a classic. I never liked the scene on the boat in the old one with the cutting off chickens heads and stuff. That really creeped me out.

 

[tekoa]

I prefer the Gene Wilder version. Very entertaining.

 

[Rebelmom67]

I love them both, as do my kids. I couldn't pick a favorite.

 

[Tine731]

Gene Wilder!

 

[lulugirl]

Depp was way creepy in that movie, he looked like Michael Jackson

 

[Caropooh]

I love Johnny Depp as Capt Jack Sparrow, but he really skeeved me as Willy Wonka. I liked Gene Wilder much better! Enjoyed the original version of the movie more too.

 

[NMAmy]

Johnny Depp....Gene Wilder's too weird for me.

Really, Hedy? I'm the total opposite. I prefer Gene Wilder's version and find the character loveable and gentle while Johnny Depp's version of Willy Wonka creeps me out.

 

[shortbun]

I love them both, as do my kids. I couldn't pick a favorite.

That's my take as well. Gotta love those Wilder Blue Eyes though!

 

[goofyernmost]

Gene Wilder's version is much lighter than the Depp version. I watched the Depp version because I was trying to see the range of Johnny Depp. He was quite impressive. I kept looking for something similar. You know, just a touch of Captain Jack in the character. It wasn't to be found. I have to admit, at this point, that Depp is a great character actor.

Gene Wilder is, well, Gene Wilder. He is great in his own sense, but, you see a part of the same character in every thing he has done. Sort of like whats her name in Pretty Woman or as Tinkerbell, with that same annoying burst of laughter following her to every movie.

As for the movie itself, two different directors, two different interpretations. I believe that the update (Depp's) is probably closer to the original writings than Wilder's. I think that one was focused more on light comedy.

 

[lewdyan1]

I prefer the original version!

 

[aprilgail2]

Depp was way creepy in that movie, he looked like Michael Jackson

I agree! He skeeved me out in that movie!!

 

[slo]

For the longest time I REFUSED to watch the Johnney Depp version of Willy Wonka, because I love the Gene Wilder one, and I thought it was terrible for this movie to be remade

Then, one day, I decided to watch it - I don't know why
I was blown away - I loved it, loved it, loved it!!!!
I thought Johnney Depp gave an awesome performance, and I loved how the movie gave some history on Willy Wonka and the UmpaLompas (sp?) I truly thought this was a great movie.

For those that haven't seen it, for the same reason as me - please reconsider - I think you'll be surprised with how much you like it!!!

 

[KimmyDisneyNerd]

Ya... I like em both. It is one movie that I enjoyed as a remake as much as the original.