A truly magnificent piece of work...

Rating: 10/10 (19 July 2005)

Tim Burton has done it again. Johnny Depp nailed Willy Wonka on the head. No, he was not Gene Wilder, but he was equally as effective in the role. Danny Elfman has once again given us one of the best musical scores I've heard in years! It was crazy, yet had sentimental moments that added to the sympathetic moments with Charlie Bucket. This was very close to the original novel, with the exception of a few minor details, most notably Wonka's dentist father storyline, but it isn't something that will make or break the film. What makes the film is Burton's bizarre abstract style of story telling- and this film was the perfect palette for his insane creativity. I honestly haven't seen Burton be this creative since one of his earlier films, Beetlejuice. It was also just as good, if not better than Edward Scissorhands, although doesn't compare to his best work for me being Big Fish. Yet this movie was sure cinematic entertainment and the smile never left my face, and neither did my laughter. Danny Elfman did a wonderful job with the Oompa Loompa songs. He added in a different styled song for each time they burst out, and it was a nice change and kept you from lapsing into boredom. Many people have been criticizing Elfman for the crappy lyrics he wrote for the film: Elfman did not write the lyrics- they were the same lyrics to the Oompa Loompa songs that were in the original novel written by Roald Dahl. That was a very smart move for Burton and Elfman and it worked perfectly.
This film and the original 1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory are two completely different movies. As much as I loved the original, I have come to realize that this film is a much better version because it holds true to the novel and themes and everything seems to work better. Those who hate this film are comparing it too closely to the original when the original shouldn't even be considered at all due to the fact it barely remains true to the Roald Dahl vision ( why else would he despise the 1971 film version for? )
Tim Burton is one of the best directors in Hollywood today. This film proves why he is one of the best! This was, simply put, one of the best experiences I have had in a movie theater this year along with Batman Begins. A true 10 Star film!