This Film should have been excellent...

Rating: 3/10 (30 July 2005)

Tim Burton is quite honestly the best visual storyteller of our day. His films not only capture the full attention of the audience, but also touch the kid in them as well. It is that reason why this film was such a disappointment.
I will admit right from the beginning that I have not read the book and I am also a big fan of the original 1971 film. That being said, I went into this film with knowing full well that I was seeing a retelling of a great story, but more importantly though the eyes of Mr. Burton. But what I saw was nothing more than a D grade commercial blunder.
The film has a strong beginning, and I liked the story behind Charlie and his family, especially his Grandfather. But this is where my interest ends with the characters. The film never draws me in to make me care if anyone gets a golden ticket, especially Charlie. He is just so sickeningly happy throughout the film that when he does find the ticket you aren't even happy for him.
The chocolate factory is even worse, this is when Burton should have shined and at best he was a dirty penny. Each room was uneventful and it was obvious that very little imagination was put into the set design. The fact that CGI played such a heavy role only made it worse, it seemed the rule on set was, make it look like a video game.
I saved the worst for last, and while the theater's sound system may not have helped, the Uoompa Loompa songs were abysmal. At best I understood a word or two throughout each song, which as far as I am concerted is the most important part of the film. It is here where the lessons of the story are laid out to teach how wrong it is to be like these nasty children. Instead all that is learned is how silly modern music styles will translate into a children's movie.
I will say one thing, while Gene Wilder will always be Willy Wonka to me; Johny Depp did a magnificent job getting into character. But as you might have guessed, I didn't like this Wonka either.
I really wanted to write a good review of this film, I just couldn't. It's just not good film, which is as honest as I can get. Tim Burton has proved his talent with his past films; Batman, Edward Scissor Hands and Big fish. In this film he has proved that if given enough money he will be happy to make a bad film as well...sad.