50% Fail 50% Nail

Rating: 5/10 (21 July 2005)

I give this movie a 5 because I'm pretty split in my reaction. I think it nails the spirit of the book in just about half it's elements and fails in the other half. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was one of my very favorite books growing up, so no movie could ever do the story justice in my mind, but it is the kind of story that begs to become a film. I own the earlier film version, and think it's cute, but was never satisfied by it, not even close. I think this film comes closer to the character of the book, and visually it can be quite stunning. The greatest thing going for this film is the actor that plays Charlie. He is perfect! Actually, most of the actors are perfectly cast...but I was surprised by Depp's performance...it was by far the worst thing of the entire film! Gene Wilder's Wonka was much better. Where did Depp get this ridiculous interpretation?? If I completely forget that it's supposed to be Wonka, I could consider it amusing at times, but on the whole it is ridiculous and completely un-Dahlesque. I had actually thought the movie was going to suck EXCEPT for him--I love Depp's portrayals, usually. Not this time--this Wonka is petty and hateful. ("Da...daddy??"--ugh) Reminded me more of an Austin Powers Wonka than anything. I think Depp tried a little too hard to make this Wonka "different." I also could have done without the musical numbers, but I suppose they were too hard to pass up. As a side-comment, this film really brings the capitalist and colonialist subtexts of the book to the surface in a much more explicit way than the first version.