Burton's Flirtin' with magic again...

Rating: 9/10 (27 August 2005)

Even from when I was a little girl in pyjamas and clutching a teddy called Edward, I've loved Tim Burton. He made even the scariest of childhood nightmares magical and with a little sprinkle of that Tim Burton magic dust he made, for me at least, the screen come alive. At around five I saw Edwards Scissorhands, my first run in with Burton. And I admit, I had quite the crush on Mr. Scissorhands himself! All my bears were called Edward and had paper talons selotaped to their paws, thus resulting in me getting paper cuts during the nights - but I didn't care;I was young and in love. At the dawn of my 18th birthday, Charlie and the Chocolte Factory returns to our screens. Bigger, brighter and a wee bit more sinister than the 70s version, Willy Wonkas Chocolate Factory. Burton returns to magical form directing this very, very good film. For those of you who'll have not been living in a cave for the past 40 or so years, you'll know the story. Chalie Bucket is a poor little boy who lives in a fabulously crooked house with wonky doors, crazy windows and equally crazy grandparents. Despite his lack of money, little Charlie loves his parents more than most, and it seems that this is his enduring feature that ultimately lets him win the final golden ticket. No surprises there. The magic really starts when Charlie and his grandfather (his chosen guardian, bless him!) enter the factory. The first time we come face to face with Johnny Depp, as the great chocolatier is, in itself a great bit of cinematography. Hilariously funny and ever-so-slightly creepy. As you follow the sticky demises of the 4 other golden ticket winners, you begin to be rooting for these children's deaths! Harsh I know, but they're all so horribly spoilt, fat, rude and violent-obsessed that you want them to be taught a lesson! As with all films like these, alls well that ends well, but not without a little bit of trouble, of course! As always Burton delivers his great adventure of a film very well indeed, helped along enormously by Mr. Depp and the brilliant Freddie Highmore as little Charlie Bucket. The other kiddies are brilliant too. All in all a fantastic family film that anyone can enjoy. No-matter what age you pretend to be!