This remake of the original 1971 film has updated special effects and terrific production designs but still isn't as magical or entertaining as the original film.

Rating: 8/10 (28 August 2007)

Charlie Bucket (Freddie Highmore) comes from an poor family. He lives with his hard working father (Noah Taylor), his homemaker mother (Helena Bonham Carter), his loving Grandpa Joe (David Kelly) and three other grandparents (Liz Smith, Eileen Essell and David Morris). They struggle with everyday life and their home is falling apart, bit by bit. Charlie hopes for a better life for him and his family. But one day, Charlie hears that there's upcoming contest about very successful Chocolate Factory. Who's owned by Willy Wonka (Johnny Deep), who's giving five golden tickets inside Chocolate Bars that he hidden inside all through the world. Since it's been found by four other kids by Veruca Salt (Julia Winter), who's a spoiled brat. Augustas Gloop (Philip Wiegratz), an overweight kid... who truly loves Chocolate. Violet Beuragrade (AnnaSophia Robb), an ambitious champion gum chewer. Mike Teevee (Jordan Fry), who's loves watching TV too much and playing Videogames. After Charlie buys a few chocolate bars before with no luck but when he finds 10 dollars outside. He decides to try one last time at a store and he has find the last chocolate bar with the golden ticket.
Charlie can't go alone in the Chocolate Factory and he has to bring an adult with him. He brings his Grandpa Joe, who's used to work for Wonka in the past. Once Charlie and his Grandpa Joe enter the Chocolate Factory with the other winners. They finally get to meet the mysterious and bizarre Willa Wonka. Once they enter the chocolate factory, they see strange things and they encounter working & singing Oompa Loompas. But Willy isn't what he seems to be and he's having flashbacks to the his troubled childhood with his stricter father (Christopher Lee). Willy holds an special surprise for the winner, for those who don't get distract by the factory.
Directed by Tim Burton (Batman, Ed Wood, Planet of the Apes "2001") made an entertaining updated version of the classic 1971 film, which the original film was titled "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" for some reason. Which is Based on a novel by Roald Dahl (James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, The Witches). Highmore's performance in the film is the heart of this picture, Deep's role seems to do an creepy imitation of Controvesial Pop-Star:Michael Jackson at times but it's Deep Roy's role (Who plays all the Oompa Loompas) steals the show with amazing music score by Danny Elfman (Men in Black, Nacho Libre, Sleepy Hallow). Beautiful production designs by Alex McDowell (The Crow, Fight Club, Minority Report) are also the highlights of this movie as well.
DVD has an sharp Pan & Scan (1.33:1) transfer and an strong Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. DVD has an featurette about Roy's role and creating Oompa Loompas for the film, an Oompa Loompas dance machine featurette and the original theatrical trailer. The first act of the film works great until we enter "The Chocolate Factory". The film turns mean-spirited, odd, bizarre and dumb all at once. Highmore keeps the film together, however and it is certainly Burton's strangest Mainstream film since "Batman Returns". It is also the least successful Burton film (to me anyway) so far. Deep's role isn't as memorable as we expect and he doesn't come close to surpass Gene Wilder's role in the film. But Kids will love it, so do fans of Burton's work and Deep's roles as well. Screenplay by Johm August (Charlie's Angels, Go, Titan A.E.). (*** ½/*****).