New and Improved!!!

Rating: 10/10 (28 July 2005)

I really enjoyed this film - I went with my partner the first time, and the second time we took our two children, ages 7 and 10. Although I loved the first 'Wonka' movie which made a huge impression on me in my childhood years, I have to say this version is better.
I admit, I'm very partial to Burton movies - I love his wit, style, dark humor, etc. so I was thrilled with this version. For those of you who didn't find this version scary enough, take it from our kids - they both said when discussing the film afterwards that they weren't sure if the children in the movie were going to come out all right or not, and that they felt Wonka Jr. was very sinister (see his knowing facial expressions and bizarre detachment from the seriousness of the 'demise' of each of the naughty children as well as the way he grooves to each of the songs nonchalantly, almost gleefully).
And OK, maybe the giant worm and bug scenes were missing from the boat-ride, but frankly that always rang a bit false to me when I was a child watching the earlier film version. I was glad they were dropped. I also really enjoyed the ending. Another reviewer said that the ending felt 'tacked on' -- I can't understand this as the entire film built up that storyline all along during each of Wonka Jr.'s uncomfortable flashbacks. But to each his own, I suppose.
I do want to go on record as heartily saying I think this version is STILL a kid's movie -- although they might not get all of the tongue-in-cheek wit, they can still appreciate the golden rules taught in the story, and the beauty of the film itself. The music was highly amusing and very entertaining - another Elfman masterpiece! I also thought it was superbly acted by all - dead-on characterizations of each person in the story, leaving me feeling the tale was better than I had remembered it.