Depp Fails to Match Wilder

Rating: Null/10 (5 September 2006)

Let me begin by stating that I am a Johnny Depp fan. I generally find his performances to be excellent, and count his portrayal in "Blow" among my very favorite in cinema history.
That said, he fails here.
I don't know if it was due to improper or misguided action of the director, or if he chose his own tone and manner for the Wonka character, but Depp fails miserably in this film. Using the Roald Dahl novel as a guideline, Depp is nothing like the understated, dry-witted implacable and imperturbable Mr. Wonka. Using the original film from 1971 as a guideline, Depp can't hold a candle to Gene Wilder's performance, which, while overstated, at least resembled the character intended by Dahl when he wrote the book in the first place.
Johnny seems to be going for some sort of post-abused, mentally tweaked boy-man. Some have said that the portrayal reflects Michael Jackson. If so, WHY? Wonka isn't sinister, nor does he come off as a character hiding a brutal truth, which is how Depp plays him here. Unfortunately, he becomes the focal point of the movie and the "main" character is kicked to the curb shortly after his introductory sequence. Following Charlie's find of the Golden Ticket, he becomes an ancillary character with few lines, and Michael Jackson takes over, and ruins the film. Really, he ruins it. I found it unenjoyable and actually began to resent Depp's every appearance with a weariness.
This is no Wonka. This is Burton and Depp's idea of what Neverland would have been like if Michael Jackson chose to make chocolate there rather than exhibit exotic animals between kiddie rides.
The usual Burton mosaic of backdrop works well, and the musical scenes with the Oompa Loompas are highlights, although I found myself harboring nostalgic thoughts for the original Oompas as I enjoyed these new rocked-up songs. Well done, just much, much different.
A sidenote: I love that Mike Teavee challenges Wonka's notion that a candybar being teleported is a far cry from an image being transmitted. That drove me nuts when I was a little kid! Good for you for calling him out, Mike! I also love that Veruca Salt meets her match by the paws of many squirrels (as in the book) rather than being dumped down the egg hatch (as in the 1971 version of the film).
Overall, I disliked Depp's portrayal so much that despite the excellent imagery and the many highlights, I won't watch this again, and recommend it only to those who are interested in comparing it to the far superior 1971 effort.