Scene Standoff: Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory vs. The Breakfast Club
Willy Wonka turning an almost face plant in to a magnificent roll in 'Willy Wonka & the chocolate factory vs. the kids in detention dancing in John Hughes' 'The Breakfast Club'.
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Meeting Wonka - Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory
The five lucky finders of the golden tickets arrive at the gates of the reopened Chocolate factory. And they are met with a fabulously on form Willy Wonka played by legendary actor Gene Wilder. And before uttering a single word, he falls forward keeping his back straight, and at the last minute, he breaks out into a fantastic forward roll.
- Gareth's scene
The Detention Dance - The Breakfast Club
Another five characters, but these five are older and not at a chocolate factory, but in a gruelling weekend detention. And how better to spend that detention than by dancing on the tables and embracing the insanity.
- Ellis' scene
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PERFORMANCE
Well, Gene Wilder performs that roll very well. You don't see it coming.
You think he's going to fall flat on his face and then the roll comes out of nowhere.
And it shows you everything you need to know about Willy Wonka. He's peculiar, unpredictable and he's a showman.
The performance of the cast in The Breakfast Club is brilliant; the jock ripping his shirt off at the beginning is having a great time. It's the funniest scene.
I'm going to struggle to contribute because I don't remember this scene that well.
But is that not the whole thing with these scene standoffs? If you don't remember it, surely it's less iconic.
You're right! The more I think about it the more I realise how strong of a contender the Gene Wilder roll is.
WILLY WONKA - 10/10 THE BREAKFAST CLUB - 6/10
NECESSITY
Well, The Breakfast Club, although a comedy, is quite a down film with dark concepts. This scene defines it being a comedy. It needs this light relief. It is necessary but not so much that the film would collapse without it.
You could learn what Willy Wonka is about after this scene, but then you wouldn't see how everyone gets into the chocolate factory.
So it is important.
WILLY WONKA - 5/10 THE BREAKFAST CLUB - 7/10
REFERENCABILITY
I've got to be honest, I don't think either of these films are particularly referencable.
Unless you're a really good gymnast.
I can't think of any part of that Breakfast club scene to reference, apart from the dances on the tables maybe. And I think all of the dances in that scene are referencing other dances.
There's other quotes from Willy Wonka but the scene itself doesn't have anything to reference.
Well there's some lines from the characters before the roll that I've definitely quoted. But they're quite niche references.
WILLY WONKA - 3/10 THE BREAKFAST CLUB - 2/10
POPULARITY (using Letterboxd for reference)
So Willy Wonka's average rating is 3.9.
Wow! Well, Breakfast Club is 3.8.
I can't believe this.
We both gave both film a 4/5. So 4's all around.
WILLY WONKA - 3,9 THE BREAKFAST CLUB - 3.8
ICONIC RATING
On a scale of breakfast items. So the lowest being some fried mushrooms and the highest would probably be a sausage or hash brown.
Well look...the detention scene in The Breakfast Club is good fun and not necessarily the most iconic. So I'm going with Rice Crispies...because you've got to love the snap, crackle and pop, they're a lot of fun.
I'm now picturing the snap, crackle and pop characters doing the dance with them. I'm going to give this Willy Wonka scene a Nutella on pancakes. The pancakes are an iconic part but not necessarily the Nutella.
WILLY WONKA - Nutella on pancakes THE BREAKFAST CLUB - Rice Crispies
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THE FINAL STANDOFF
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory 4-1 The Breakfast Club
So in the biggest upset in our Scene Standoff's to date, Willy Wonka doing a roll has taken the victory. We challenge anyone to find a more perfect forward roll than Gene Wilder's and it's one of the greatest character introductions in movie history.
Gareth really didn't think that his pick would win here and it's overcome the odds. How much further will it last though? Will it be able to defeat the 'Circle of Life' in Lion King? Or Wilson floating away in Cast Away? Only time will tell.
So make sure to keep getting involved with these Scene Standoff's. And to keep updated with what's coming next go and follow us on Instagram at focusfilmmovies and give our podcast a follow wherever you stream your pods.
Current Standings: G - 3 E - 4
NEXT BATTLE:
THE 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN VS. TOY STORY
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory available now on Netflix