Wonka Then...Wonka Now Alive and Kickin!

Rating: 10/10 (20 July 2005)

In watching the 1971 version of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, you notice two things... A. Wonka is a very mysterious, but secretly mean man. B. You don't know why he is a mysterious and mean man.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory(2005) I went into this movie thinking it would be an almost exact copy of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I knew from other reviews that it would be very much like the book. To me, this movie fills in the holes that the old one left out. In this version, you find an understanding about the character of Wonka himself. You can see why he built the factory, why he won't trust grown ups, and also why Grandpa Joe seems to know so much about the factory. Depp brings a whole new man in. His character is wacky and strange, Wilder's character is funny and slick. THIS MOVIE IS NOT A REMAKE. It has a complete new story to tell.
Simply put, this movie will keep a smile on your face. The humor Depp brings to the film is absolutely wonderful. Fun to watch, fun to listen.... Wonka is very much alive and kickin now just as much as then!