No Heart No Soul

Rating: 1/10 (16 July 2005)

This is a so-so adaption of the book. However I love the first movies lovable brats! This film not even Charlie is lovable!
The original movie has a heart. You liked the bratty children and Willy Wonka because were relate-able. No so in this version. The original also had a very magical spirit to it. This movie has no heart or soul! It is creepy.
In the first movie The children were regular children. In this version we have "Hollywood Children". There is a bigger budget for this production but that was not an improvement.
This movie has has "Millions to spare" on special effects. Since these effects are done in post production the children in this production had nothing to act to when they shot their part. So they are emotionally not involved in the scenes which harms this film!
The film is over produced.(They have 1 man play all the om pa- lompas). However the best thing they did with the millions was the demise of Veruca Salt. They were able to do the squirrels (that was in the book). However I like the first movie's Veruca Salt's better.
Johnny Depp plays Wonka like he is Michael Jackson. So that means he is just creepy. In The book Wonka isn't a creep! He loves children! In this movie he isn't a nice person! I am sure this movie will be a box office hit! I just hope if they do "Charlie and great glass elevator" they will make it with care. In fact they should let Chris Columbus direct it!
Tim Burton is good in worlds of his own creation but his bizarre touch harms the overall effect of this film .
Do yourself a favor buy the original film and pass on this!