Satisfying Treat in a Lovely, Shiny Wrapper

Rating: 8/10 (23 July 2005)

First off, I would really like to emphasize that this movie is *not* a remake of the 1970's film. That's like saying Peter Jackson remade Ralph Bakshi's 1970's version of LOTR. It's instead a new, darker, and more cynical look at Roald Dahl's novel. Dahl's work is infamous for being darker than your average kiddy fare, so in that sense, Burton *was* being faithful to the source material.
Beyond that, I honestly don't care how faithfully Burton recreated the original book because what I saw on the screen was captivating, satisfying, and definitely enjoyable. The opening sequence, complemented perfectly by Elfman's quirky soundtrack, had me eager for the rest of the film.
The acting was great, including Depp's quirky and original take on Wonka and Highmore's heartbreakingly pure Charlie. I loved the overall look of the film, including the beautifully bright and colorful, yet still sterile, semi-dark, and slightly off-kilter, factory.
One major change that Burton made, which seems to be a point of contention for some, is the inclusion of a back story for Wonka which brings in Christopher Lee in a delightful cameo. While the flashbacks themselves could run a little long and make the action of the movie stutter a bit, I liked the overall story and how it influenced the eventual ending, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
The only complaint I really have is the lack of dialogue on the part of the children while they're in the factory. There were a few nice bits of memorable banter, but I left wishing they had had more screen time. This is especially true for Veruca, who was nowhere near whiny or demanding enough for my taste.
Overall, I enjoyed the movie, but wished there had been a little more to it. Still, I understand that it's difficult to pack so very much into a short span of time. While it may not be the richest treat, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" is a solid and delicious, if a bit small, piece of dark chocolate in a shiny and eye-catching wrapper.