Wonderfully Childish

Rating: 8/10 (31 July 2005)

I'm a bit young to remember Gene Wilder's famous performance in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, but I found myself smiling throughout this particular version of the story. Note that I use the word "childish" here quite a bit. This is by no means a bad thing in this movie.
Johnny Depp does a wonderful job in the movie, giving us a glimpse of a mildly mad eccentric. The character has something of a childishness that is extremely nice, with a fairy tale styled faith that is uplifting and bright. At the same time, there is an almost sinister element to Willy Wonka. This element is perfectly played, however, and it adds depth to the character (and to certain scenes) that I considered most welcome
Freddie Highmore is wonderful as the charming and exceedingly kind-hearted Charlie. This movie is worth seeing with your children for the simple example of altruism and sweetness that this character evokes. Such children as Charlie are far too rare these days, and his gratefulness and his familial loyalties are exquisitely played.
What Charlie and the Chocolate Factory provides is a sense of wonder and childish excitement. To examine such a film with a critic's eye is precisely the antithesis of what the movie's theme is. The movie IS candy. Appreciate it for the childish joy and the lessons about the various vices that the children (aside from Charlie) display. Go in and enjoy a fairy tale type of magic, where you get to see things that would make your most childish dreams come true.