Incredibly Disturbing, But Rather Fun!

Rating: 8/10 (28 July 2005)

"Charlie And The Chocolate Factory" sticks closer to the book than "Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory," with Gene Wilder. Sweet lovable Charlie (Freddie Highmore)lives with his parents (Helena Bonham Carter and Noah Taylor)and 4 grandparents in a literal broken home (Made with doors and full of holes). The family is destitute (The father works at a toothpaste factory putting the caps on the tubes, and they eat cabbage soup all the time). Being a fairy tale, their luck will soon change.
An announcement is made throughout the world that Willy Wonka (The amazing and creepy Johnny Depp)is opening up his chocolate factory to the holders of 5 golden tickets. Lucky Charlie gets hold of one of them and, with his grandpa Joe (David Kelley)at his side, they go off on an amazing adventure.
The other 4 kids are obnoxious as hell and you are really glad that they get what's coming to them.
Depp looks a bit like Michael Jackson in some aspects (And this comparison seems to be getting bigger by the minute). The back story on Wonka's childhood (With a nice performance by Christopher Lee)which fuels his chocolate obsession,is a bit touching (Especially when they reunite at the end of the film). There are a couple of musical numbers with the Oompa Loompas (All played by Deep Roy), which are a bit creepy but oh so funny! Tim Burton seems to be back in form (Planet of The Apes knocked him down a few pegs)and it's good to see him back. Danny Elfman's (Who is long overdue for an Academy Award)music is haunting and delightful to hear (He also sings the songs).
Fun to watch, and you will have a song on your lips and a taste for some chocolate.