A welcome return to form for Tim Burton

Rating: 10/10 (28 September 2005)

I just saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the cinema today, and I couldn't believe how blown away I was. I haven't enjoyed a film this much at the cinema in years. Not just because it's a supremely entertaining film, but also because it marks a welcome return to form for Tim Burton. Burton's recent films of late (Planet of the Apes, Big Fish) have been very disappointing. With CATCF, Burton has returned to what he does best. Visually striking, eye-popping artwork.
When I heard Burton was doing his own version of CATCF, I was very excited. When it came to bringing the factory to life, I had total confidence in him. Assembly lines and bizarre contraptions are nothing new to Burton. He's been doing them since Pee Wee's Big Adventure and Edward Scissorhands.
But Johnny Depp playing the kooky Willy Wonka threw me for six. It's no secret that Depp is Burton's favourite actor to work with, perhaps because they share the same MO of avoiding the conventional, and going with the unusual.
But I couldn't see how anyone could ever hope to top Gene Wilder's wonderfully innovative performance. However, Johnny Depp turned out to be a pleasant surprise. But before I go into his introduction, I want to comment on the scenes before we see the factory.
CATCF has a wonderful opening title sequence. Bizarre machinery, conveyor belts that resemble roller coasters, all topped off with another excellent film score from Danny Elfman. Once we move to the action, we are introduced to Charlie Bucket (Freddie Highmore).
Anyone familiar with either the book or the original film knows Charlie comes from a poor family, but is a good-hearted boy. The ramshackle house his family lives in is classic Burton. Gloomy, on a slant, and dwarfed by the ominous Wonka factory.
The first half-hour gradually introduces us to the children, who will each find a Golden Ticket to get them into the Wonka factory. All the children are delightful in their own way. Freddie Highmore is a terrific young actor. He has a certain charm without ever becoming precocious.
The girl who plays Veruca Salt has a look of single-minded determination that's rather frightening on a child. Violet Beaureguarde is delightfully catty, Mike Teavee is an obnoxious brat, and Augustus Gloop knows exactly how to be a fat slob.
Once we get to the factory itself, it begins with a charming puppet show. What was surprising was it has the song from the trailer that I always found very irritating, but in the film it fits in perfectly, and when it is repeated on the end credits, I even hummed along to it.
Now we meet Johnny Depp's interpretation of Willy Wonka. A lot of people compare him to Michael Jackson. But I don't believe that. Willy Wonka is just another one of the oddball characters Tim Burton loves to have in his films. In fact he seems to be an amalgamation of a wide variety of different characters from a lot of Burton's films. The squeaky voice of Pee-wee Herman, the top hat of the Penguin, the child-like enthusiasm of Ed Wood, the pale skin of Edward Scissorhands and so on.
This new interpretation is decidedly more sinister than the original. The expressions on Wonka's face are priceless when the kids get their just desserts (get it!). You can guess exactly what is going through his mind. He couldn't care less what happens to these little brats. He even seems to relish it. With his darker clothes and top hat, he often reminded me of an undertaker. This is a more creepier Wonka for the 00's.
One thing I especially liked is this version is far more faithful to the book than the original. Veruca's encounter with the squirrels is the best example. How they trained all those squirrels is beyond me, but it's a marvel to behold when they all attack Veruca. It's nice to see Burton isn't getting lazy even after 20 years.
The Oompa Loompas are another achievement. Played by the actor Deep Roy, and digitally duplicated, the different musical numbers they perform are marvellously inventive (especially Mike Teavee's). Danny Elfman is really at the top of his game here. Using lyrics from the book, but combining them with his own quirky sensibilities, they are the best Elfman score I've heard in a Burton film since Pee Wee's Big Adventure.
Burton has also included a subplot regarding Wonka's estrangement from his father, Wilbur Wonka (Christopher Lee). I'm not sure if it was all that necessary, but at least it didn't bore me in the same way the father/son relationship did in Big Fish.
To sum up, CATCF is a dazzling achievement. Great songs, a surreal visual experience, and terrific performances from a fine ensemble cast made this into an extremely pleasurable viewing experience for me. Tim Burton has redeemed himself considerably in my eyes, and my respect for Johnny Depp grows with each film I see him in.
Bravo Tim!