Deliciously Funny

Rating: 10/10 (13 September 2005)

Johnny Depp is at his eccentric best in this modern day rework of the classic story of an eccentric candy chocolatier. In the role that launched Gene Wilder to stardom Johnny Depp portrays the painfully shy Willy Wonka with ease in this hilarious family comedy After twenty years Willy Wonka decides to open up his world famous chocolate factory to five lucky children in the hope that he can secretly groom one of them into becoming his heir and he must chose from Violet Beauregarde (Anna Sophia Robb) a tough talking tomboy, Veruca Salt (Julia Winter) a spoilt daddy's girl, Mike Teavee (Jordan Fry) a electronic games obsessive, Augustus Gloop (Philip Wiegratz) a large and glutinous boy, and Charlie Bucket (Freddie Highmore) a quiet and destitute boy.Each in turn the children find that theory temptations overcome there senses as they succumb to the tests that's rule them out of the succession leaving the delighted Charlie to inherit the factory but on one condition. He must give up the family he adores so much. But will he forsake his family for a lifetime of candy?Freddie Highmore proves that he has both the emotional and physical talent to carry off such a demanding role as he portrays the sweet Charlie Bucket to perfection and also Deep Roy gives a hilarious performance as the factory main hand Oompa Loompa. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is definitely one of Tim Burtons finest films but also one of the most memorable.