Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think that Wonka was unnecessarily sexual for a kids film?

202 replies

Bambooshoot · 10/12/2023 15:32

Just seen Wonka with my son snd really enjoyed it, (loved High Grant as an Oompa Loompa, even though I usually don’t like him, he was perfect!!) . . . but I was wondering why they needed to shoehorn some weirdly sexual stuff into a kids film?

I’m talking about why they had to make the other chocolatiers so demonstratively sexual (dancing with fans up their arses/crowbarring in homosexuality etc) instead of just making them wonderfully evil, (which is quite possible to do), and why all that nonsense with the couple running the workhouse getting all steamy, and him in shorts and close ups of him bending over etc? The original film had nothing on a sexual level unless I missed it, and I can’t see why it was needed here, my son didn’t find it funny, just “cringe” and he hated the bit where they kissed at the end. What was it for? I thought it kind of spoiled the film. I used to be very open minded, have I just become a massive prude in my (relatively) old age?!!

OP posts:
mrwalkensir · 10/12/2023 20:59

Roald Dahl hated the Gene Wllder version btw

Teder · 10/12/2023 21:12

I’m reminded of the outraged parents at the Barbie movie too.
The fact that it’s suitable for children does not mean it’s solely for children.

Ramalangadingdong · 10/12/2023 21:21

Teder · 10/12/2023 21:12

I’m reminded of the outraged parents at the Barbie movie too.
The fact that it’s suitable for children does not mean it’s solely for children.

People were offended by Barbie? but she hasn't even got a vag...oh, I get it. They're offended by the fact that she hasn't got one but (spoiler alert) wants to get one by the end of the show.

Whatineed · 10/12/2023 21:35

Blaggingit123 · 10/12/2023 17:52

I did notice one comment aimed at Prodnose (? Matt Lucas’s character) about him being ‘different’ in some way that I thought was implied about being gay - though would clearly go way over the head of any child and may not have been implying that.

my 10 yo thought the lederhosen bit was hilarious.

’Family’ films I remember from my childhood like Look Who’s Talking and Three Men and a Baby had overt sexual references looking back - so it’s definitely not that the times have changed, family films are way more tame now.

The different, I thought, was the way he kept needing to overexplain everything, especially his obsession with pointing out the things that would end in death/being killed.

Whatineed · 10/12/2023 21:39

jays · 10/12/2023 18:41

You didn’t think that Wonka was a movie aimed at children? Who on earth was it aimed at then? would adults go to the movies to watch a Wonka movie at Christmas? Seriously? Why? Why would that ever happen? It’s based on Charlie And the Chocolate Factory… it’s not Joker! I honestly despair.

My friend 59, and I, 52, went to see it last night, with her daughters 21 and 19, and my son, 18.

I saw two work colleagues there, in their 30's and there were no children in the showing we went to.

It was a lovely pre Christmas evening together and the film was uplifting and amusing for everyone in our group.

underneaththeash · 10/12/2023 21:42

anon666 · 10/12/2023 19:24

I haven't seen it but it sounds horrendous, like Benny Hill.

I always find it odd that the slightly camp innuendos that might have filtered into children's entertainment have been taken over by overtly sexualised gay /drag acts.

Don't get me wrong, I am not homophobic etc but I feel children's' entertainment should be fairly tame, whether hetero or homosexual. Not explicitly sexual.

Cringing as I wrote this in case I'm seen as some kind of Mary Whitehouse banging on about standards of decency.

I take it you’re being sarcastic!

LorlieS · 10/12/2023 21:45

I saw it today with my 13 yo son and we both enjoyed it. Couldn't care less regarding the sexuality of the characters and not sure why it matters?

lap90 · 10/12/2023 21:47

Did we watch the same film? There was no issue imo.

Also Wonka is for everyone... not just for kids. My screening was mostly adults. In fact, i didn't see any kids.

Calciferloveseggs · 10/12/2023 22:30

@jays My husband and I went as 2 adults in their 50's , without kids. You have a very odd view of who goes to see films! OP I never got any gay overtones from the chocolatiers, just upper class. Your assessment says way more about you than it does about the film, as you have a very warped mind!

LizzieW1969 · 10/12/2023 22:36

I haven’t seen it yet, I’ll wait until it’s available on DVD. But it sounds like its primary audience might be people of my generation (I’m in my 50s), who enjoyed ‘Charlie and the chocolate factory’ growing up?

I like the idea of Hugh Grant as an umpa lumpa lol. 😂

contactus · 11/12/2023 05:58

Hellocatshome · 10/12/2023 19:36

Thats what I thought, I was confused by PPs wanting it to be more like the book when there wasn't as far as I knew a book.

but the entire thing…. all of it…. is based on a book. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

contactus · 11/12/2023 05:59

Shame when an OP posts something like this and as soon as the responses don’t go their way…. they crawl off

contactus · 11/12/2023 06:00

jays · 10/12/2023 18:41

You didn’t think that Wonka was a movie aimed at children? Who on earth was it aimed at then? would adults go to the movies to watch a Wonka movie at Christmas? Seriously? Why? Why would that ever happen? It’s based on Charlie And the Chocolate Factory… it’s not Joker! I honestly despair.

i’m fascinated by posters like this

They must live their life in a constant state of despair, their mouths in a permanent cat’s bum expression

Ramalangadingdong · 11/12/2023 11:05

Hellocatshome · 10/12/2023 20:14

Well I was curious so asked my 13 year old DS who we watched Wonka with last night if there were any gay characters in it. He said "no, well maybe, how would I know cos no one had sex?"

Haha! He’s right!

Ramalangadingdong · 11/12/2023 11:07

LizzieW1969 · 10/12/2023 22:36

I haven’t seen it yet, I’ll wait until it’s available on DVD. But it sounds like its primary audience might be people of my generation (I’m in my 50s), who enjoyed ‘Charlie and the chocolate factory’ growing up?

I like the idea of Hugh Grant as an umpa lumpa lol. 😂

He looked really uncomfortable in the role which made It even funnier.

Pigeonqueen · 11/12/2023 11:37

contactus · 11/12/2023 06:00

i’m fascinated by posters like this

They must live their life in a constant state of despair, their mouths in a permanent cat’s bum expression

It’s bizarre isn’t it.

Why can’t people just find the joy in things? Hugh Grant as an Oompa Loompa, what’s not to like?! ❤️😆

MassageForLife · 11/12/2023 12:54

contactus · 11/12/2023 05:58

but the entire thing…. all of it…. is based on a book. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Is it?

I thought it wasn't based on the book, I thought it was a prequel to it - so while it was inspired by the book and contains, presumably, some of the same characters, the story is not based on the book.

Am I wrong?

contactus · 11/12/2023 13:54

MassageForLife · 11/12/2023 12:54

Is it?

I thought it wasn't based on the book, I thought it was a prequel to it - so while it was inspired by the book and contains, presumably, some of the same characters, the story is not based on the book.

Am I wrong?

no i meant the entire franchise

contactus · 11/12/2023 13:55

no a prequel isn’t “based on the book” insofar as a follow on ie sequel

but the essence of a prequel is naturally based on the original to which it precedes

MassageForLife · 11/12/2023 14:12

contactus · 11/12/2023 13:54

no i meant the entire franchise

I haven't seen the film, only the trailer, but I'm a bit confused as to how it should be more like a book that doesn't exist? In what way is it not enough like the book(s)?

ParanoidJo · 11/12/2023 15:23

The lederhosen were in there as Bleacher was meant to emulate a Bavarian aristocrat.

contactus · 11/12/2023 16:05

MassageForLife · 11/12/2023 14:12

I haven't seen the film, only the trailer, but I'm a bit confused as to how it should be more like a book that doesn't exist? In what way is it not enough like the book(s)?

huh?

Pinkfluff76 · 11/12/2023 18:39

Totally agree with you on OP on all points

tachetastic · 11/12/2023 19:01

Hellocatshome · 10/12/2023 20:14

Well I was curious so asked my 13 year old DS who we watched Wonka with last night if there were any gay characters in it. He said "no, well maybe, how would I know cos no one had sex?"

Spot on. One of the most sensible and intelligent comments on this entire thread.

SleepingStandingUp · 11/12/2023 19:08

jays · 10/12/2023 18:41

You didn’t think that Wonka was a movie aimed at children? Who on earth was it aimed at then? would adults go to the movies to watch a Wonka movie at Christmas? Seriously? Why? Why would that ever happen? It’s based on Charlie And the Chocolate Factory… it’s not Joker! I honestly despair.

Take a seat Jays.i have something to tell you that will cause a massive shock to the system.

Next week I'm going...

...alone....

...to see...

...wish.

And I'm not a degenerate or pervert or I'm some way socially impaired.

Swipe left for the next trending thread