popular thinking

WILLY WONKA VS. WILLY WONKA: So you want to know whether or not you should see Tim Burton's cinematic reimagining of Roald Dahl's novel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, or whether you should stick with the 1971 classic that starred Gene Wilder. I'll tell you this much: Burton's version is good, but very different in a very Burton way. If you like that, then you'll enjoy the film. I'll stick with the Wilder. Here is an official tale of the tape, as it were, breaking down the differences in today's Boston Herald...

OPENING CREDITS
1971: Actual candy-making process, accompanied by instrumental of ``Pure Imagination.''
2005: CGI of candy-making process, accompanied by industrial theme by Danny Elfman.
CHARLIE BUCKET
1971: Has to work as a paperboy to support the family since his father died. Gets a hand-knitted scarf for his birthday.
2005: Doesn't do much of anything. His father is alive but laid off from a toothpaste factory.
GRANDPA JOE
1971: Bedridden for 20 years. Loves a wee bit o' the fizzy lifting drink. Humbled to accompany Charlie, and sticks up for him when Wonka apparently turns mean.
2005: Not-so bedridden, he leaps out of bed and is a little too eager to go with Charlie to Wonka's factory, because he used to work there?! But he says practically nothing once there.
SLUGWORTH
1971: Evil competitor of Wonka, he approaches each of the five Golden Ticket winners and offers them big cash prizes to steal an Everlasting Gobstopper.
2005: Appears only in an early cameo as a Wonka competitor, never resurfaces.
FEAR FACTOR
1971: Slugworth, the potential drowning of Augustus Gloop and the tunnel ride into psychedelia all scare the bejesus out of kid viewers.
2005: None of those scenes have tension here, although the new book-loyal demise of Veruca Salt will make you look twice at your local squirrels.
VIOLET BEAUREGARDE
1971: Gum-chewer from Miles City, Mont., overshadowed by her pushy used-car salesman father.
2005: Gum-chewer from Atlanta, now has gymnastic and martial arts skills (and trophies) which help her stay out from the shadow of her pushy Botoxed mother.
Both movies feature the immortal line, "Violet, you're turning Violet!''
MIKE TEEVEE/TEAVEE
1971: From Marble Falls, Ariz., where he spends all day watching TV westerns and playing with his cap gun. Brings his mom to the factory. Father is proud of his boy. Named Teevee in credits.
2005: From Denver, where he spends all day playing violent video games and playing with his video game gun. Brings his beleaguered, balding dad to the factory. Named Teavee in credits.
FAKE TICKET
1971: From Paraguay
2005: From Russia
GLASS ELEVATOR
1971: Saved for the finale.
2005: Gets a full workout, and thanks to some nice CGI, we're treated to the WonkaVator's total capabilities, zipping around both the factory and London.
OOMPA LOOMPAS
1971: One kind, all sport crazy green hair, orange skin, brown shirts and white overalls. They're refugees from war rescued by Wonka. Demise songs are catchy - "Oompa Loompa, doopadee doo'' - but simple.
2005: Several outfits and cameo appearances, but all the same actor (Deep Roy). Wonka lures them from LoompaLand because they worship cocoa beans. Demise songs are elaborate numbers with different musical themes, putting American Idol group singalongs to shame.
WILLY WONKA
1971: Witty, dripping with sarcasm and non sequiturs, he holds the crowd's attention from his first public reappearance at the factory gate. Hates fake people, but loves honesty, loyalty and pure childhood.
2005: Used to be strong, now an insecure spectator to the sideshow circus that surrounds him. Aloof. Has daddy issues. Seems not to like anyone, even children.
PADDING
1971: Musical numbers, including "Cheer Up, Charlie,'' "The Candy Man'' and "Pure Imagination,'' stretch the running time to 100 minutes.
2005: Songs replaced by lots of backstory for both Wonka and the Oompa Loompas.
CHOICE QUOTE
1971: "If the good Lord had intended us to walk, he wouldn't have invented roller skates.''
2005: "Candy doesn't need to have a point. That's why it's candy.''