Visually Stunning, Entertaining and Dark! Tim Burton & Johnny Depp's version of the classic story by Roald Dahl is a Masterpiece!

Rating: 8/10 (15 July 2005)

I am going to make my intro short and sweet. I love Tim Burton, he's my favorite director. I love Johnny Depp, he's my favorite actor. Therefore, I was thrilled to see "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" finally when it was released into theaters today 7/15/05. In fact, I drove 45 minutes to see it on the IMAX!
"Charlie and The Chocolate Factory" is based on the book by Roald Dahl and is the story of Charlie Bucket (Freddie Highmore).Charlie is from a poor family, and one of his biggest dreams is to go inside the Wonka Factory to see this marvelous and one of a kind factory. Willy Wonka (Johnny Depp) however has not allowed anyone in his factory for several years due to the fact that everyone wants to know the Wonka secret. One day, Willy Wonka decides to open the factory to 5 people lucky people who find a golden ticket in his chocolate bars. The lucky ticket finders will not only be able to come visit the factory but also get a year supply of Wonka Bars. And to top it off one person will actually win an extra special reward. So the search begins to find the five Golden Tickets and the magic of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" begins.
I had high hopes for this film ever since I first heard about it. Now did the film meet my expectation? Absolutely! I loved this film! Loved it! Johnny Depp plays Willy Wonka and plays him perfectly. I loved Depp's vision of Willy Wonka; weird, creepy, and sarcastic. It was terrific. From the moment, Depp appeared on screen, I knew he was going to give a great performance. Freddie Highmore was also terrific in the film. That kid has talent. He was great in "Finding Neverland" and is great in the film as well. He is very believable, likable and knows how to act. There are so many other characters in this film and it would take forever to list but they were all wonderful as well. Bottom line, this movie has a great cast and everyone plays their roles perfectly.
Tim Burton is back in his top form. I am a huge Tim Burton fan, probably one of his biggest fans and I have to say this film is right up there with "The Nightmare Before Christmas", "Ed Wood", and Edward Scissorhands." It's been a while since I have seen Tim Burton at his best but this is probably his best film since "Ed Wood." Don't get me wrong; I liked all of Burton's movies since "Ed Wood" but just not as much as the three I just mentioned.
Tim Burton uses such imagination when he makes movies plus the guy knows how to create a visually stunning movie. This movie especially on the IMAX is so beautiful to watch. The settings are perfect and the factory itself is marvelous. Tim Burton knows how to really use a camera to capture a scene and knows how to direct films flawlessly. He captures things like no other director can.
Now let me say this I really like the 1971 film "Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory" starring Gene Wilder however Burton's version is much better. Why? Well I loved this book when I was a child and the 1971 film wasn't like the book but it was still a good movie. Burton's version is much more loyal to the book and is darker. Depp's version of Wonka is much more creative and creepy then Gene Wilder's Wonka. Burton's version adds much more of the book to this film. It's actually very different throughout the entire movie. Yes, the basic premise is the same but almost everything else is different. There isn't as much singing in the film as in the 1971 version and the Oompa Loompas look more like they did in the book and their songs are a lot cooler in Burton's version. The whole beginning is different, some of the middle is different, and the ending is also different. This is a whole new movie, so if anyone says that it's a complete copycat of the 1971 version, well they are full of crap. Also one last thing Charlie in this film isn't whinny like he was in the 1971 film, and that made his character a lot more likable.
Bottom line, if you like Tim Burton or Johnny Depp, Run don't walk to the nearest theater to see this film. If you have an IMAX near by, go see it on the IMAX. The film is beautiful and seeing on the IMAX only gives more reason to love the film. When I went to the theater today all showings were sold out for the rest of the day. When the film ended, a lot of people clapped including me. Johnny Depp is the best actor out there and he gives Wonka a creepy and sarcastic image which I loved and felt that character needed. Burton's vision of the Dahl's classic story hits the nail right on the head. I have nothing bad to say about this film and this will be one film that I will go to the theater a few times to see. I haven't seen a film that I wanted to see in the theater again in a very long time. This film is another one of Tim Burton's Masterpieces and I absolutely love it.
MovieManMenzel's final rating for "Charlie and The Chocolate Factory" is a 10/10. This is the Depp/Burton film I have been waiting for since 1994. Bring the family, go by yourself, but see this film. It's terrific