If the goal is to keep the story as close to the book as it possibly can, then it makes a much better book than a movie.

Rating: 4/10 (27 November 2005)

I tried so hard to give this film a fair chance. Unlike most of the other people who didn't enjoy it because of physical differences (the oompa-loompas LOOKING different) I was willing to give that a chance.
What bothered me the most was the acting of Depp himself. Where as in the original movie version, Wonka is creepy enough to be eccentric and enigmatic, it's realized that it's almost just a show. Depp doesn't do this at all! It's just, well, creepy! I don't get why the kids want to be there at ALL. Why is Charlie so amazed by him? I think if there were to be more conversation between Charlie and Grandpa Joe, viewers' questions are more easily answered, too. But the movie seems to be about Wonka, not Charlie.
While I thought it was interesting they dove a little into Wonka's childhood, I thought the viewer felt very detached from Charlie, for he wasn't allowed a fair amount of screen time. Everything moved very quickly in the beginning, and I can imagine if you don't know the story, you could be confused. They only did this to make more time, in my opinion, so the CGI and other sFX guys could get their time with the too-long loompa songs.
I don't know, while I am glad there is a bit more from the book (but remember, Roald Dahl supervised the first movie), I still think it's too different from the original to even compare.
Oh, and I didn't like all the references to other Tim Burton movies. It was like "YES, YOUR NAME IS ALL OVER IT! I UNDERSTAND!" Oi...