Cool, Strange, & Fun

Rating: 8/10 (25 August 2005)

You want a weird movie? This is the one to see! I enjoyed this movie immensely because of Johnny Depp's strange portrayal of Willy Wonka, which is frightening, funny, and overall just cool. Unfortunately, and this may just be my hang up, whenever I see little Freddy Highmore (who play Charlie) I'm haunted by his portrayal of a sad little orphan in Finding Neverland. I tried to get over it and I think he is a great kid actor, but it added a tinge of sadness to the film for me. This shouldn't both most viewers though. I enjoyed all the cool new plot lines that vary from the original film including the Oompa Loompa history, Wonka's hang ups with his father, and Charlie's sweet parents. It's a great kids film, very colorful, and I can appreciate this film just as much as Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory of long ago from my early childhood. See it!