Entertaining, but certainly no classic like 1971 version

Rating: 6/10 (22 January 2006)

First let me say I don't care which movie version is closer to the book. I am interested in the movie itself. This new version, taken by itself, is pretty good entertainment.
Burton provides a well put together piece of eye candy, let there be no doubt. I found Depp's off-the-wall portrayal of WW quite fun to watch. I was not as impressed with the music as so many are. It was okay, but I found the words in the musical numbers hard to understand.
As for the storyline, anybody over 10 years old already knows its a great story. So this movie obviously has that going for it... so a 6/10 rating is warranted for this movie on it's own. However, it will never be the classic like the 1971 version.
Now is the time where I draw a few comparisons with 1971's "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory". The following may contain SPOILERS.
When compared with the 1971 version, the 2005 version pales. The adaptation of the story did not offer much complexity or richness. For example, the 1971 version goes out of its way to show the greed of the children. It uses the Slugworth sub-plot to illustrate this.
Charlie does not inherit the factory just because he is the last one standing as in the 2005 version. He proves himself by being the only child with integrity. The 1971 version teaches a lesson of decency that is all but lost in the 2005 version.
In the creativity department, the 2005 version also pales. With today's CGI, they could have really had some fun. For example, the coat room scene in 1971 has a bunch of hands mounted on the wall which grab your coat.
In 2005, the coats are just dropped on the floor and that's that. I was really expecting hands to come out of mid-air and pick up the coats, keeping them eerily suspended. It would have been great, and still fit in with the dark and creepy Tim Burton style.
As for the musical numbers, the 2005 version offers far fewer, and none as entertaining as the 1971 version. Both try to teach a lesson as each child succumbs to his or her failings. Only the 1971 version succeeds. The 1971 version also features a fabulous solo by Veruca as she adamantly exclaims "I want it now" in song. No such numbers in 2005.
I could go on indefinitely as to why the 1971 version was far superior to 2005, but this review is about the 2005 version. One just cannot help comparing the two. I think those who see both should view them as two completely different movies based on the same story.
In my opinion, the 2005 version is just a good movie but the 1971 version is a true classic. It will continue to stand the test of time as the 2005 version fades away.