Pure Imagination!

Rating: 10/10 (16 August 2005)

This movie is pure imagination all over again for Wonka fans and anyone else! First of all, yes, it is like the book, yes, it is different than the 1971 version, yes, there is no doubt Tim Burton directed this movie, and no, Johnny Depp didn't remind me of Michael Jackson (maybe because I wasn't obsessed with following Mr. Jackson's trial like everybody else).
This timeless children's classic is extremely faithful to Roald Dahl's quirky world, while appealing to a whole new generation of kids and families. And who better to create a quirky world than the master of quirkiness, Tim Burton. Much like Hitchcock's famous cameos, there are plenty of Burton-like images all throughout the film (including a brief image of Wonka holding a pair of scissors that reminds us of another Burton-Depp collaboration). The visuals are absolutely stunning, so stunning that you could almost watch the movie with the sound down and still be entertained.
The acting is all first rate. Johnny Depp's originality never ceases to amaze me. And Freddie Highmore is wonderful as usual (if you haven't seen his performance in Finding Neverland, see it). The nasty kids do a good job of mixing reality with their broad characters, and their equally nasty parents are the same. Once again, the classic book is appropriately brought into our modern life while sticking to the timeless quality of the story. Most notably are the Beauregarde's, hilariously brought to life by Missi Pyle and AnnaSophia Robb (quite the versatile little actress, for those who have seen Samantha and Because of Winn-Dixie). Here we have the pushy cheerleader mom who has created an obnoxious little clone of herself (know anyone like that?). And Mike Teavee is not only obsessed with television, but now, with video games (know any kids like that?). I cannot mention the entire cast, but everyone else did a terrific job, too.
Fans of the Gene Wilder version (and I am included in that list) will be pleasantly surprised (especially with the inclusion of such chapters as "The Other Children Go Home", a rather wickedly satisfying chapter, but I won't give anything away), and fans of the book (I am included in that list, too) will be pleased to see a movie that is as faithful to the book as you can get and have it still be a movie.