Burtonesque through and through

Rating: 9/10 (9 November 2005)

Tim Burton is a genius in film making. With _Edward Scissorhands_ and _Nightmare Before Christmas_, Burton has proved himself a man with vision, and _Charlie and the Chocolate Factory_ is no different.
Many people spoke out against this film, as I did when I first heard of its release. Gene Wilder has said that the Burton film is nothing more than a money-making scheme. Ironic, as Wilder's Wonka film was nothing more than a 100 minute ad for Quaker Oat's Wonka Bar. I though that nothing could possibly top the 1971 Mel Stuart film _Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory_.
I was wrong.
First of all, the sets. The Burton sets are amazing and wacky, on par with previous Burton films and the Dahl novel of the same name. The squirrel room and the Chocolate Room are tres fantastique.
Second of all, the story. The biggest problem, I thought, with the original Stuart film was that it was too regular. It took what may be the weirdest children's novel in history into just another Disneyesque film. The Burton film is truly wacky, with Johnny Depp doing a complete reworking of Gene Wilder's famous Wonka performance. The plot is also completely weird and Dahly, even where the plots differ, as in the presence of Wonka's dentist father. This brings up another point. There are some interesting parallels between Charlie and Wonka. Both of their fathers work in the tooth-care field (as Charlie's father works as a cap-screwer-oner). Both Wonka and Charlie had little exposure to chocolate, as Charlie is extremely poor, and Wonka's father is overprotective of his son's teeth. And throughout the film, certain comments made by Charlie perfectly reflect those of Wonka. Fans of the novel will cringe a little, but will, in the end, rejoice.
Third of all, les acteurs. Freddie Highmore's performance of Charlie in the 2005 film is light-years ahead of Peter Ostrum's portrayal of him in the 1971 film. The other child stars are also more talented than their predecessors, with the possible exception of Julia Winter in the role of Veruca Salt. One might be compelled to compare the performances of Depp and Wilder, but this would be akin to comparing Vermicious Knids to Himalayan cats. This film also bouts the presence of Charlie's father (played by Noah Taylor), not present in the Stuart film but present in the novel. And Christopher Lee, known as Count Duku to _Star Wars_ fans, is excellent as Wilbur Wonka, D.D.S, Willy's father. Deep Roy, the oompaloompa (all oompaloompas in the film are digital copies of Mr.Roy), is excellent as the little people.
My verdict: Even though _Charlie_ is better, _Wonka_ still has a place in my heart.
Adieu. Auf Wiedersehen. Gesundheit. Farewell.