Can't believe all the praise!

Rating: 7/10 (6 August 2005)

When I look at all the positive reviews I can't believe my eyes. I really liked the first part of the movie when the 5 winners are found and presented. But what happens in the chocolate factory itself is visually stunning but very low on a human level. You never have the feeling that the kids are in a real competition and the parents react so strangely unemotional when their children screw up and must leave the party in such a painful way. Too bad! The 2001 joke was very funny, though. Of course there are some great candy ideas presented in the factory. But when you've seen one, two or three, then you've seen them all. The Gene Wilder version was much warmer overall. So I prefer that one when you compare the two.