Disappointing

Rating: 2/10 (16 July 2005)

Perhaps die-hard Burton and Depp fans will find this remake worth watching. I expected a family film, and found a dark interpretation of the Dahl children's book. Depp seems to have found his inspiration for Wonka in Michael Jackson and imitates him almost perfectly - down to the falsetto voice, glasses, and gloves. This Wonka does not like children or their parents and has bizarre flashbacks to his own unhappy childhood (not in the book). Some of the special effects are noteworthy but overall, this is not a happy film. The boy who plays Charlie is a bright spot in this dark film. If you are into goth, Burton, and maybe - art films? you may be satisfied. For me the spirit of the novel was violated and a lot of money was wasted on another remake.