Stop your Mumbling

Rating: 7/10 (21 July 2005)

Greetings again from the darkness. With Tim Burton ("Edward Scissorhands" "Big Fish", the underrated "Beetlejuice" and the underviewed "Frankenweenie") at the helm, there was little doubt that this version would follow the novel much closer than the original kiddie film with Gene Wilder and the torturous Sammy Davis, Jr song.
What was not anticipated was the eeriness Johnny Depp would bring to his portrayal of Wily Wonka. He is downright freaky and creepy!! It is amazing and captivating to watch Burton and Depp craft the story of the isolated man-child and his disgust with all things impure. Depp's performance drives the film to depths it would have otherwise not reached.
The sets are great, although the CGI are mediocre at best. Deep Roy as ALL of the Oompa Loompas is excellent although the difficulty in catching all lines of "their" musical numbers was disappointing. What we could hear was very funny. The great Danny Elfman produced another terrific score and also recaptured his Oingo Boingo days by writing and performing the Loompa numbers.
Overall, this is not an actor's film. However, in addition to Depp, young Freddie Highmore (captivating as Peter in "Finding Neverland") delivers a nice, hug-able performance as Charlie. Fine in supporting roles are David Kelly ("Waking Ned Devine"), Helena Bonham Carter, Noah Taylor (frighteningly real as Hitler in "Max") and the great Christopher Lee (veteran of over 200 films). The biggest disappointment was in the casting of the "other" kids and their parents. Surprised Burton couldn't do better.
This film is funny, touching and often surreal. As with the novel, it carries a message and is not meant for young children. Some of the dialog is difficult to hear (especially the songs) but there are plenty of laughs and WOW's!!