Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Rating: 8/10 (15 July 2005)

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Tim Burton's take on the famous Ronald Dahl novel. Though Charlie (Freddie Highmore) is sweet, sensitive and good natured, just as Charlie should be, this is Johnny Depp's show. As Willy Wonka, he is kooky, awkward, and always funny. The camera just gravitates to what he is doing at all times. His voice is a sort of hybrid California Girl giggle mixed with someone slightly Canadian. And not every other sentence out of his mouth is a literary quote. David Kelly seems far less creepy than he did in the trailer, but rather a very endearing grandfather. The four little devils all have plenty of personality to go around, and sometimes too much so. I think everyone'll be glad to see them meet their inevitable punishment.
Surprisingly, Burton's version is far less dark than the 70's version. I actually liked that we saw the four greedy children alive and well after their mistakes, whereas in the other movie it was rather like "Maybe they're dead. Maybe they're alright. Who cares?" This happy ending isn't held back by 4 possibly dead children who paid through the roof for their foolish mistakes, because we see them alright, or severely altered.
I was a little unsure about the script writer John August, because I saw the dastardly Charlies Angels2 movie. Surprisingly this script is filled with humor and moments both tender and awkward (but in a good funny way). Wonka and Charlie both have more fleshed out with family backstories which adds to the characters. Charlie has his loving mother and father (Noah Taylor and Helena Bonham Carter) who we see in quite a few scenes. Wonka has his dentist father (Christopher Lee), whose strict rules on candy caused Wonka to go into the business of candy-making. There are way too many funny quotes to count.
As with all Tim Burton movies, atmosphere is the name of the game. Wonka factory is this giant factory amid all the little people, with Charlie and his family living in this little shack that would not meet even the loosest of building requirements. England is dull and snowy. The jungles of Loompaland are vibrant and earthy. Wonka's factory is bright and colorful. The production values are top-notch.
In conclusion, if you were not taken with the other Charlie and the Chocolate Factory movie, as I was, give this a try. Sorry Gene Wilder, but I like Depp's performance better. This gets an A-