Burton, Depp try hard, but cannot overcome charm of original film

Rating: 6/10 (13 July 2005)

You'd have to believe that director Tim Burton has wanted to remake this film for a very long time. Probably from the time he saw "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" starring Gene Wilder back in 1971. But just because someone *wants* to do something, that doesn't always mean they *should* do it. Based on Roald Dahl's classic children's story, that version was one of the best kid's film ever made, so fans of the original are well justified in their apprehension. And while Burton remains more faithful to the letter of the book than the 1971 film, the spirit is weak this time around. It's certainly not because of a lack of effort  the acting, especially Johnny Depp in the lead role and Freddie Highmore (who starred with Depp in the Oscar-nominated "Finding Neverland") as the goodhearted, but poverty-stricken Charlie Bucket, is pretty good. The special effects are terrific and the story is compelling. It's just, just  dare I say it  not the same as the first one. I'm sorry to be so elementary here, but that's my problem. It's the same situation with all remakes  most people saw the original first, so they are automatically prejudiced. Wilder, as the eccentric hermit candymaker was sweetly sarcastic and a little touched. Depp, on the other hand (looking like a combination of Michael Jackson and Winona Ryder  with a Beatles' haircut), is just plain creepy. He also goes into weird trances and suffers far too many flashbacks instead of charming the kids like Wilder did, and the subplot of his past family and psychological problems seemed out of place, as well. The child actors are fine, including blonded Annasophia Robb ("Because Of Winn-Dixie") as athletic, gum-chewing Violet Beauregard; Julia Winter as spoiled Veruca Salt; Philip Wiegratz as tubby Augustus Gloop; and Jordan Fry as the violent video game/television-obsessed egghead, Mike Teavee (just as the original child actors were). But there's still a big piece missing, and that's the music. In the 1971 picture, there were some great tunes, including "Candy Man," "Pure Imagination" and "The Ompa Loompa Song," among others. The other songs are removed, and the Ompa Loompas (CGI creations of the same person  Deep Roy - not midgets) sing bad lyrics in three different styles  dance, pop and annoying heavy metal. Burton's direction is always quirky and inventive, and the opening credits are amazing. His small London shanty where the Buckets dwell is also a marvel of art direction, as is his dark, gloomy real world and colorful, fantastic candy factory. Young children and those who have not viewed the 1971 film, will probably like this one more than I did  but that's only because I had the pleasure of seeing the Gene Wilder version first. Poor me, I guess.