Repulsive! I did not enjoy it : (

Rating: 5/10 (19 July 2005)

I am in the M.A. program in Children's Literature at Eastern Michigan University. This summer, I am taking a course on children's films. We were assigned to read Roald Dahl's book, watch the 1971 film, and then go to see the new version. We had previously watched Johnny Depp and Freddie Highmore in Finding Neverland (during our study of Peter Pan) and I was expecting another winner from the duo. I couldn't have been more shocked at the nasty tone of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory!" I expected to be entertained and seduced by the handsome Depp; instead, I was repulsed! He just got Willy Wonka completely wrong. I think the difference between the old and new film version of "Charlie" is that there is little happiness in the 2005 version. Willy Wonka isn't happy, the children aren't happy. There are few genuine smiles. There are no singable songs. No wonder Charlie isn't willing to leave his family at the end; a future with only Willy Wonka would be depressing.
What did Burton get right? The Bucket family! I am glad that Mr. Bucket was incorporated in this film and that the poverty of the Bucket family was well-done. And Freddie Highmore is wonderful as Charlie! He is happy, he is enchanting. I would like to see *him* as Willy Wonka! One last comment: It took me several minutes to decide if, during the chocolate river and candy-covered land area scenes, the actors were live-action or CGI! The skin was so grainy, I couldn't tell. The 1971 had poor production values; it looked cheap. This movie's production values were overdone; it looked fake. And that is unfortunate. I enjoy animation and I enjoy live-action; I just prefer them separately.
I don't see many films each year at the theater and regret paying $6.75 (plus wasting two hours) to see this one. Better luck next time! The Corpse Bride trailer looked promising!