no Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, but still very good

Rating: 8/10 (15 September 2010)

Charlie and the Factory (2005)
As a fan of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971), Tim Burton, and Johnny Depp, was excited to see this film. Though many people I talked to didn't like it, I personally loved it. It's not as good or as magical as the 1971 musical version but its still a lot of fun. It's a little strange because it's very colorful but at the same time its dark.
The story is much different than Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. It follows a little closer to the book for the main details but adds some extras as well. It is also very child friendly, which you have to remember when seeing it. It's not like Sweeny Todd or Sleepy Hollow, so don't go in expecting it to be that style of Tim Burton film, it's like his Alice in Wonderland.
To the performances I must say that the role of Willy Wonka is not Johnny Depp's best acting but its certainly enjoyable. Very quirky and strange and a lot of fun to watch. All the children did great as well, Freddie Highmore, and AnnaSophia Robb especially.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has very interesting CGI. It's not necessarily very realistic but it's also not very noticeable because even the people seem kind of fake due to the make up.
One complaint I have, and I think others do too, is the Oompa Lumpas. Not so much because it's the same person playing all of them, (I didn't mind that too much, just a little at first) my main issue is with the songs. I liked the idea of them singing and all of that, they just weren't very good and got a little annoying, unlike the classics in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
Overall Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is very fun, light hearted, and a great film. Once you start watching it's hard to look away. Fans of Depp and Burton should enjoy it as long as they realize that it is rated PG so it is more directed towards kids, but is still easily loved by adults.
8/10