This version is truer to the Dahl spirit, I think.

Rating: 9/10 (29 July 2005)

I have known and loved Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka since his movie first came out. The movie itself does have a trite and dated design to it, true, but Wilder's performance is worth the entire opening story (and sick-making songs) to his first brilliantly improvised entrance.
With that said, Johnny Depp also gives an inspired performance here, one much closer to Dahl's world, I think. Wilder's performance had sweetness and heart, with a little wild eyed mania at which he is so superb. Depp's Wonka is an edgy misanthrope, with deep seated fears and wounds he cannot repress anymore. Depp's complete submersion into a character is always fascinating, and I would have to come to see this movie just for that.
However, the design choices will also have me watching this movie for a long time. If it didn't have the handicap of being constantly compared to the first movie, I think this movie and especially Depp's performance would be much more highly appreciated by the critics.