Lame

Rating: 1/10 (14 December 2011)

I am a big fan of the 1971 Wilder original so I finally decided after 6 years to give this version a try. I like Depp and was hoping that this movie wouldn't disappoint... it really does. I really don't care if this follows Dahl's vision closer than the original or not, it stinks.
There was something charming about Gene Wilder's Wonka and while the character development was less it was just better. Depp just comes across as an evil Michael Jackson like figure. Depp plays crazy very well but there is something natural about Gene Wilder in that kind of role. He didn't need to exaggerate or emphasize like Depp, the creepy is just there.
Clearly if you want to know more about the back story of Dahl's characters Tim Burton pays closer attention to doing that.
Also I think the choices for the actors was pretty inept. I like Missi Pyle and James Fox they are great character actors but the rest were pretty bad including Freddie Highmore.