Not as good as original...

Rating: 5/10 (20 July 2005)

Let me say first that I'm spoiled to have had the pleasure of watching the original with Gene Wilder (who was hands down better then Depp...sorry Burton fans) This movie is indeed a good children's movie and one I would recommend you take your kids to. However for the fans of the original, you will be very disappointed, unless of course you are one of the "Burton Coolaid drinkers" The visuals are wonderful in the movie as is the musical score by the always great Danny Elfman, but the two things that made the original fun and a classic was Gene Wilder and the Ompa Loopas with their respective musical numbers. The songs are what made the magic happen for me and that was very much missing from this version. Depp's performance as Wonka was cold and off track the entire movie which for me ruined the picture.
Gene Wilder's charming and eccentric performance could have only been equaled today by the likes of Robin Williams, Steve Martin, or Jim Carrey. Depp is by all accounts a great actor and I enjoy him in almost everything he does, except here.