Among Johnny Depp's best work.

Rating: 10/10 (23 January 2006)

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Fantasy/Comedy 2005
I really want to get on with this review, so I'll sum up the synopsis part quick as can besince we're all familiar with it anyway: Quirky, reclusive owner of the greatest candy factory in the world, Willy Wonka, has just sent out five golden tickets to allow five children to tour his factory with a surprise at the end for the child that impresses Mr. Wonka the best during the tour. Okay, we all know how this movie goeseven if we haven't seen it. We've seen the original or one of the millions of times it's been mentioned, referenced, or parodied over the years in places like the television shows "Futurama" and "Family Guy." So let's get on with it:
Here's the breakdown:
The Good:
--For anyone worried that "Hollywood Elite" status has ruined Johnny Depp, worry not. Everything about this movie could suck and it would still be watchable just because of him! His acting is brilliant, fantastic, hilarious. He injects mannerisms and attitude into Willy Wonka that are impossible to hate. And some of them are so minor: When everyone's boarding the boat on the chocolate river, the mother of one of the children is very obviously attracted to Willy Wonka and creepily trying to impress him. The disgusted and nervous way Johnny Depp says "All aboard" is immensely subtle, but still laugh-out-loud funny. Sure, Gene Wilder was brilliant in this role, but hellit's like it was always meant for Johnny Depp. He doesn't mind looking funny or acting sillyin fact, he seems to revel in itand the audience receives some of the best entertainment we're likely to find in any movie these days. Everything about Johnny Depp's portrayal of Willy Wonka is sheer perfection. Subtle mannerisms, weird joking, his joyful disdain of the rotten children, his looks, attitudeeverything. He is this movie.
--Okay, that said, the rest of the acting was also quite gooda real plus from the boy playing Charlie. He's likable and heart-warming. The other kids? Just as obnoxious as can bewhich is just the way they're supposed to be.
--Classic, great story.
--Generally excellent compositing and special effects work, even if it is all CG. CG work these days is getting more and more obvious for some reason, and more and more overused. Now, while that is the case here, there are still some very impressive sets and not all the CG is obvious. It's better looking that, say, 95% of the films released the past few years.
--Absolutely fantastic setsclassic Tim Burton. Dreamy and detailed.
--Danny Elfman's music is as brilliant as always.
--After watching this film, it's hard to imagine the Chocolate Factory without Depp, Burton, and Elfman making it what it is. And it's damn near impossible to put into words just how it looks and feels.
--Excellent dialog, especially (of course) from Depp. "Everything in this room is eatableeven me. But that, children, is called cannibalism and is frowned upon in most modern societies." Sure, this is zany writing, but what really makes it memorable is the way Depp delivers all these lines.
--This is a family movie that can actually be enjoyed by adults. A lot of them are billed stating that they can be enjoyed by adults, like "Madagascar" for instancebut are still too childish. My son is two years old and he couldn't take his eyes off the screen for most of it. And I loved this movie through and through. We have a rarity herewhole families actually can enjoy this one!
--Excellent writing, and great comedy moments. This is the best thing Tim Burton has done in years.
--Tons of cheesinessbut the good kind. The kind that makes the movie fun. You'll see
--The Oompa Loompas are all the same little guy. He was Mr. Soggybottom in Burton's "Big Fish."
Didn't Hurt It, Didn't Help:
--The songs by the Oompa Loompas are a far cry different from those of the original film. Some people may not be too keen on this. All of them themed differentlylike, there's a Disco song and an 80's Hair Metal/Hard Rock song (which constantly reminds us of Van Halen and Quiet Riot) to name a couple.
The Bad:
--Unfortunately, it's another remake in a remake-heavy era of Hollywood.
--A tad over-reliant on computer graphics work. Didn't ruin the movie, but I think it's time that production artists get off the computers and into the studios again.
The Ugly:
--The four children that aren't Charlie.
Memorable Scene:
--Any time Depp speaks.
Acting: 10/10 (Johnny Depp deserves even higher) Story: 10/10 Atmosphere: 10/10 Cinematography: 10/10 Character Development: 10/10 Special Effects/Make-up: 9/10 Nudity/Sexuality: 0/10 Violence: 2/10 (very minor comic shenanigans) Gore: 0/10 Dialogue: 10/10 Music: 10/10 Direction: 10/10
Cheesiness: 5/10 Crappiness: 0/10
Overall: 10/10
So there you have it. It's one of the best movies made in the last year. Perhaps, in the last few years. It's certainly the best remake in well in ages (and I've seen King Kong 2005). It's different enough to make the original with Gene Wilder still well worth owning and loving. However, Depp surpasses Wilder in the role, in my opinion. In the original, Gene Wilder shares the spotlight with the brilliant factory and wacky visuals. Here, everythingthe other actors, the scenery, the musiceverything is second string to Depp's compelling, and brilliant performanceamong the best he's ever done. It really feels like, all these years, ever since the story was writtenit was always intended for Johnny Depp and Tim Burton. Watch it.
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