Fun, magical ride.

Rating: 9/10 (16 July 2005)

This retelling of Roald Dahl book is funtastic! Within the first twenty minutes of the movie, you care about every member of the Bucket household thanks to those Freddie Highmore doe eyes, and Grandpa Joe's facial expressions.
Surprising, there are many similarities in this version to the original version, which director Burton has stated he disliked so much. That may be how we learn the original was closer to the book than we initially imagined.
Johnny Depp's Wonka is offbeat and sometimes disturbing. However, he wins us over with his eccentricities of verbally sparring with each of the children. Missing, however, was the warm connection with Charlie, which is a surprise, consider the connection Depp and Highmore had in the previous joint venture (Finding Neverland.) The entire visual of this movie is a joy to look at. The chocolate river ride is much more enjoyable and much less disturbing than the original version. Danny Elfman's music adds the perfect layer of sweetness to the rapid riding.
However, the big winner of the night is Deep Roy as every single Oompa Loompa. Delivering the only musical numbers in the movie, Roy dances with glee and determination, keeping himself deadpan, and clearly enjoying himself. He may be small in stature, but he will be a big star soon.
I was pleased, yet disappointed that Tim Burton seem to hold back on his usual colorfulness. This move was kept calm and didn't cross the line into the bizarre.
There were, at time, many things to look at, so this movie deserves multiple viewings in order to take it all in.