Sweet enough to make you ill - but the kids might like it

Rating: 3/10 (6 September 2005)

Tim Burton has a terrible habit of taking good ideas, promising big, and once again failing to deliver. I would dare to suggest that most of the people who 'love' this film have no real knowledge of the original book and film and would probably turn up to an ad break if they knew Johnny Depp was starring in it! Unlike the original film, this chocolate factory is all colour and movement but completely lacking in charm. Is there any anticipation, any excitement, any climax? No - once the first kid disappears it's simply a matter of counting down the numbers........oh, and now we're down to one - yawn. Is there any good acting, any twist in the plot, any suspense at all? Not really -Depp relys on his talent, luckily, the script and Wonka character are awful. The ghastly children have little appeal (except maybe Mike Teavee) and not one classic line to be heard...."Daddy, I want an oompa loompa!" There was no Slugworth - the everlasting gobstopper which played such an important role in the first film barely rated a mention in this version - no fizzy lifting drink (the new Charlie doesn't steal). Wacky distractions and a subplot involving Wonkas' childhood spoil the flow and were completely unnecessary - this film reeked of 'Hollywood License'......... and it could have been so good!