a good time was had at the chocolate factory.

Rating: 9/10 (24 July 2005)

SPOILERS THROUGHOUT:
It's so nice when you see a remake that is actually good. And Charlie and the Chocolate factory is a winner all around-although it is hard to think of this as a remake as it's so different from the original.
This version is a delightfully engaging, vivid, chocolaty dream. I actually liked Johnny Depp in the role of Willy Wonka, yes he was creepy to be sure, but he was also up to the task and there are only a handful of actors who I think would have fit in the role. (My friend and I went over who else would have been good and came up with Jim Carrey, Robin Williams and oddly enough Hugh Grant to name a few.) Though many have remarked on the similarities to Michael Jackson, and I did indeed see them, they were not nearly as intense as I was lead to believe and Wonka definitely has his own persona, independent of Michael Jackson, Keith Richards, Edward scissor hands or anyone really. Depp puts humor into the role as swell as creepiness and it works.
And the other cast members were exceptional as well, most notably Freddy Highmore as Charlie. The other children were delightfully bratty as ever and it was great to see the oompa loompas again. Special Kudos to the nut cracking squirrels. The movie is very true to the book and the things that were added I thought enhanced the story rather then detracted. It was very well done.
And the special effects-incredible-flowing Chocolate everywhere you turn, flying elevators, sugary streams and glowing iridescent colors everywhere. The Special effects are in a class by themselves and hopefully the movie will win some awards in that department.
All in all Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is an unexpected, delicious surprise. The original is a classic but this is a fine remake and hopefully many children growing up, will see it and fall in love with the story as so many did all those years ago. I really did not expect to like this much, if at all, but it was a delight and oodles of fun all the way through. My vote is a strong 9 of 10.