We enjoyed it!

Rating: Null/10 (18 August 2005)

The trouble with "remakes" is that it inevitably brings comparisons with the previous version rather than the film being allowed to stand on its own merits. However, I took two 11yr old boys to see Charlie & The Chocolate Factory today, and they both came out saying they thought it was great, and definitely wanted to see it again and want it when it comes out on DVD. From them, that's top praise. For me, a film is entertainment and escapism, and I think both are achieved in this movie as far as that goes.
I thought Depp played the role of Wonka really well, and seemed to capture far more of the weirder essence present in Dahl's character, than his predecessor (Gene Wilder). The kids were as I expected, irritating just as they are in the books. Great copy of characterisation from the book! And young Freddie Highmore also seemed to produce the wholesome good boy, beloved of his family, as characterised in the Dahl novel, although what the movie didn't manage to reproduce, was the closeness of Charlie's relationship with "Grandpa Joe", which was a shame because it is such an essential ingredient of the original story.
My only real criticism was where the makers chose to take a divert from the book with the invention of Wonka's past. I felt it was totally unnecessary, and feel that they could have used that time more wisely, to develop Charlie and Grandpa Joe's relationship, and given them a bit more talk time as they toured the factory, rather than have them, more observers, at times, than central participants. And by the way, great to see David Kelly (Grandpa Joe) on the big screen, I remember him as "Alfred" all those years ago in Robin's Nest!!! Overall, I'd say Tim Burton did a great job and my young critics tell me they think it deserves an 8/10 rating well kids can't be wrong, can they?!!!