Truly worthwhile.

Rating: 8/10 (16 July 2005)

This summer, my reactions to the new movies coming is always: Is it worth my time? I have to take the time to look it up here, read through the actors, look up the director's past works, and then decide whether I truly would like to see the movie or should I pass it off as (which I probably do way too much) just another blockbuster-popcorn-flick that I really don't care for. Well, this movie was different.
I remember searching for Tim Burton about a year ago. Just to see what he was working on. When I read that he was making Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, I knew what the world was in for. I've been a long time fan of director Tim Burton. I still remember receiving Nightmare Before Christmas (yes, I know he was the producer) when I was only six years old.
Now, I may be bias with this comment, because I didn't care for Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I felt it was too serious, too spooky, too creepy, and too depressing. Now, I love movies passed as a children's film but are in fact to scary for children and actually meant for adults, but Willy Wonka was too depressing even for parents.
Charlie and the Chocolate factory takes the magic, the color, the world, and the candy that Willy Wonka should have used and now makes it the norm. Tim Burton's interpretation (because this is not a remake) is a land of mischief, wackiness, and color. Oh! The color! Watching this movie is a feast for the eyes as much as it is a feast for the ears. Danny Elfman, Tim Burton's musical accomplice, does such a wonderful job (as he always does) for Charlie. The music gives you your thrills and chills while delivering to you the sweet reminder of home and happy times.
The acting? Superb. Every actor seemed to be made for their part. Each child actor was amazing. Far too often you have the child actor who will mumble their lines then look off screen and into the casting crew (probably at their parents), leaving you sad and angry at the poor performance. Where Tim Burton assembled this cast, I'll never know. Each actor and actress truly took their role to heart. They became the character.
While maybe not a family film, truly something to take the teenagers to. A delightful feast for the eyes and the ears. Tim Burton never fails to exceed expectations. Danny Elfman delivers a truly wonderful soundtrack. I give this eight out of ten for the sheer excellence of every aspect.
Choice acting performances: Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka, Freddie Highmore as Charlie Bucket, Missi Pyle as Mrs. Beauregarde, James Fox as Mr. Salt, David Morris as Grandpa George, Liz Smith as Grandma Georgina, Deep Roy as Oompa Loomp, and Noah Taylor and Helena Bonham Carter as Mr. and Mrs. Bucket.
Choice scenes: Seeing each child's reaction to finding a golden ticket, when all the Wonka factory workers are told to go away, any scenes inside the Bucket's home, Oompa Loompa dance scenes, and the special nod to 2001: A Space Odyssey throughout the entire Television Room scene.