Fantastic adaptation of a classic story

Rating: 10/10 (20 September 2005)

First of all, let me congratulate Mr. Burton, Mr. Depp, Mr. Elfman, and the rest of the cast and crew of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, on making such an excellent film. I've seen this film four times. I was blown away the first time I saw it, and consequently the three times after that as well. Let me just say that I am huge fan of 1971's Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, starring Gene Wilder as the eccentric chocolatier. I was a bit skeptical at first about seeing this new adaptation of the classic Dahl story. I have one word to say. Wow. *takes a deep breath and prepares to explain* Both films are amazing in their own ways...
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory---------------------------------- Although the screenplay for Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory was written by Roald Dahl himself, it deviates from the original story quite a bit. For example: The part where Veruca Salt gets her comeuppance in the room with the geese laying golden eggs was, in the book, a room of trained squirrels shelling nuts. As for the musical quality of the film... personally, I think all but Pure Imagination and the Oompa Loompa songs should have been cut. All they do is detract from the magical quality of the film. And while the Oompa Loompas are a bit frightening (They look like demonic carrots with toothpaste eyebrows), they still achieve the level of important ambiance the Oompa Loompas had in the book. As for the Five Children... I prefer Mike, Veruca, and Violet from this film. For me, their performances were much better than their 2005 counterparts. Veruca was so much more vile and nasty, Mike.. well.. I really never pictured him as the computer-whiz knowitall that he is in "Charlie", and Violet was dead-on with her personality in the book, rather than the new, uber-achieving scary kid. Augustus and Charlie.. What is there to say? For starters, their performances were lack-luster at best. Augustus had very few lines, and Charlie was way too whiny. This is still the classic Willy Wonka film, even if it does look rather outdated. Wilder's Wonka was a quirky, lovable, hug-me Wonka with flyaway hair and mischievous eyes. I love Wilder's Wonka, and always will.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-------------------------------------- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, in my opinion, is a superior film to it's 1971 counterpart. Burton, Depp, and Elfman once again team up to give us an extraordinary film, not unlike Edward Scissorhands. I have just finished reading the book, as have this to say: John August, who wrote the screenplay, adapted Dahl's novel with the utmost attention to the story, and to the personalities of it's main characters, Willy Wonka and Charlie Bucket. This film is so much more true to the book, down to most of Wonka's lines, and the color of his jacket. Wonka's costume was one of the highlights of the film, because it's so freakin' cool. Danny Elfman's score for this film is the best he's ever done, culminating in the Main Titles and End Credits. Throughout the film, Elfman's score lifts the world of Willy Wonka and his amazing factory into a magical realm of excitement and intrigue. The Main Titles are driving and eerie, creepy at times, which only adds to the wonderfulness of it all. This film made me a big Elfman fan. Burton.. what can I say that could possibly state anything but the obvious? He's a genius, a brilliant filmmaker and visionary. Anything he touches turns to gold. Mel Stuart, who directed the 1971 film, did a great job directing it, but it lacks something, leaves something to be desired. The Oompa Loompas are much better in this film, played all by Deep Roy, who I recognized from the 8th season of 'The X-Files'. The Oompas are about the size as described in the book this time, coming to just about the knees of the adults, which lends them even more of an other-worldly quality. And they don't look like demonic carrots. I've already shared my opinions on Veruca, Violet, and Mike. As for the new Augustus and Charlie: Augustus was a much better character in this film, and he actually said stuff! He was much more humorous, as well. Charlie.. well, let me say that little Freddie Highmore is an amazing actor. He outshines Peter Ostrum as Charlie Bucket by a thousand-fold (and his performance in Finding Neverland is something I'll never forget). And as for Willy Wonka... Come on, man! This is Johnny Depp! Who better to play such a creepy, utterly awesome and strangely attractive Willy Wonka who's smile is flawless and he looks like he's been dipping into the nitrous oxide? I love Depp's Wonka as much as I love Wilder's. Johnny Depp is.. well, how can I describe one of THE BEST actors ever to come out of Hollywood, and possibly hope to do him justice? Johnny Depp is Johnny Depp. Accept no substitutes.