Interesting spin from the original

Rating: 8/10 (20 July 2005)

Might as well throw this out there right off the bat.
**WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD**
You all know what this movie is about. No sense in repeating it for the umpteenth time.
But what I think is interesting about this remake is the way people are reacting to two of the more visible deviations from the 1971 film: Depp's performance as Wonka and the slightly revised ending.
I'll admit that I thought that Depp's version of Willy was far more strange then Gene Wilder's version, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. This guy chose to lock himself away in his factory for twenty YEARS, with no one else to talk to but the Oompa Loompas--and as far as their conversational ability goes, they're a bit off-kilter, themselves. If you were put into such a scenario, don't you think that you'd act more than a little wonky (pun intended) when you finally come face to face with the public?
And before any of you say no, how much time you spend on the internet each day? How long do you talk on the phone as opposed to speaking with other folks face-to-face? How much TV do you watch? Our digital world encourages us to play "hermit" most of the time, too--it's just more deviously subtle about it.
Once I got into that mindset, I loved the way Johnny Depp played the character. A sort of sick cross between a non-sugar-amped Jim Carrey and Michael Jackson (yeah, I have to agree with a lot of folks on that one, creepy as it is), he barely restrains his delight when the bad kids get what's coming to them, and I was right there along with him. Sure seems pretty rare nowadays to see parents actually disciplining their own kids when the situation calls for such, doesn't it?
Regarding the ending....there are two pivotal events: Charlie's response to Willy's offer, and what happens regarding Charlie's father's job. These two plot points underscore what I feel were two strong themes that Burton and company were trying to push home: namely, it should all be about the family, and that if you want your life to change for the better, you have to make the effort for it yourself somehow. Sure, we all want to do it the easy way. We all want to get that "Golden Ticket" (win the lotto, maybe?) and have everything handed to us without working for it...but 9 times out of 10, it just doesn't work that way.
All that being said, most of the rest of the film is fairly faithful to the book and the original movie. Given that Deep Roy plays ALL the Oompa Loompas, the special effects and CGI do an impressive job of making each of his physical representations stand out and look different from one another during the dance numbers. Props should also be given to Freddie Highmore, whose portrayal of Charlie is kindhearted and likable without being nauseatingly sweet. Also, the side story element of Willy's relationship with his father was an interesting touch, and also explains to a large extent why he behaves the way he does (and was it ever wonderful to see a true veteran of old school horror gracing the big screen once more in something this modern!).
If you're a parent that is worried as to whether or not the images in this movie will frighten your children, well...it's a Tim Burton film, so you should expect some weirdness. But chances are, if they can sit through the swill that is most of today's cartoons and video games, they'll get through this just fine.
If you like Tim Burton's previous work, then this one's a no-brainer. A nice teaser while we wait for "Corpse Bride", this fall.
Anyone else who's on the fence...if you liked the original, you'll probably be satisfied with this. See it with an open mind and don't compare it religiously to the first movie, and you'll have a sticky, tricky, chocolatey good time.