Surprised and delighted.

Rating: 10/10 (21 July 2005)

As some of the others who have commented here, I went to the theater curious, but not expecting much, mostly due to the trailers. But the movie was surprisingly great for several reasons.
Primarily, Tim Burton managed to make this movie a completely unique entity, so that fans of the first version shouldn't have any problem enjoying this version. There are major plot changes (I haven't read the book, so I don't know if the changes make this movie truer or more distinct from it) that make the entire essence of the movie different from the original. I still love the Gene Wilder version, and I love this one equally. They are different enough to be non-comparable. I think this is extremely good work on Burton's part.
Other than this, it was a simply entertaining and intriguing film. Depp's trademark use of subtle facial expressions was used fully here, adding perhaps even more depth to Wonka's character than the flashbacks into his childhood. There is a creepiness that underlies the entire plot, but because of Burton's surreal touch, I disagree with the rumor that was floating around pre-release that it is too scary for kids. In some ways, the original was actually darker because it was going more for realism.
To sum up, it's a movie I would highly recommend. Burton does his reputation justice.