I had my doubts, but...

Rating: 9/10 (1 March 2006)

Tim Burton has absolutely nailed this film. Granted, he does add a subplot that was not in the novel, but I was amazed by how closely he stuck to the book with this latest adaptation. Some big changes were made from the 1971 film, but the vast majority of them were in the book to begin with. I was particularly tickled with the inclusion of the Prince Pondicherry story.
The verdict on Depp as Wonka? It gets better with repeat viewings. The reports of his character being based on Michael Jackson simply don't ring true, as he comes across more as a children's show host with a sadistic streak.
Probably the most substantial difference between this film and 1971's Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is the focus, which is rightfully returned to Charlie Bucket. Charlie has more depth in this film and gives you more reason to root for him. Peter Ostrum was fine in 1971, but was constrained by the limits of the script. Freddie Highmore does much better, but largely because he's given more to do. The rest of the cast is spot-on as well, and the family dynamic (largely absent from WW&TCF) gives this film an altogether different dimension.
In short, I really liked the 1971 film, and it's still difficult to choose between the two, but I have to give the edge to Charlie, largely because it hews more closely to how I imagined the book when I read it as a child.