A Visual Feast!!!

Rating: 10/10 (12 October 2008)

Watching this after reading the novel by Roald Dahl shows that Gene Wilder's interpretation of Willy Wonka was off by miles. Johnny Depp IS Willy Wonka, and steps into this role with such panache that it's almost as if the version with Gene Wilder doesn't exist. I have encountered nay-sayers that swear this film is to dark for children, and that Johnny acts to much like Michael Jackson. I say...shut up! This movie is so faithful to the book, it's as if the characters are stepping off the page. And Willy SHOULD be creepy and dark...I mean, this guy makes CANDY for a living, and his factory is UNDERGROUND. Tim Burton is a genius, and this movie is just one more added to his reportoire of brilliant movies. I love how everything in the film has a surreal quality, as if your constantly on an E-trip (for those socially illiterate, E is a drug...). Beautiful movie that gets across the message...kids shouldn't be spoiled little brats.