Didn't quite grab me 100%

Rating: 7/10 (30 July 2005)

{Written directly after returning from the cinema.)
As an appreciator of Depp's past characterisations, especially in 'Fear and Loathing' and 'Pirates of the Caribbean', I was eager to see what he would come up with for Willy Wonka. And Depps performance is very much central to the film: a 'showcase' as they call it.
Opinions have be circulating that he had borrowed a lot from Michael Jackson, and the expectation of witnessing some sort of insipid beautification of Jackson's character did cast a shadow of foreboding over my trip. But given that I'm not sure as to whether or not this is true after watching the movie, this matter will probably remain in the realm of speculation (unless Depp himself has a comment there).
In fact Wonka's pallor, his timid voice, and his vulnerability reminded me mostly of Edward Scissorhands.
One thing is sure, his performance owes nothing to Gene Wilder's nose-powder interpretation of Dahl's Willy Wonka.
Depp's Wonka is more vulnerable and has psychological depth. The film is not so much about a fulfilling of the dreams of a disadvantaged boy: it's is more about the salvation of the psychologically scarred Mr Wonka. (Indeed, in one scene he is 'on the couch').
Tim Burton has mellowed out a lot since his 'isn't-life-awful' early movies, something which is evident in this film: the 'PG' certificate was probably settled by the toss of a coin. There is nothing in this Burton offering that instills dread in the soul.
It's good, it's very good. But like I said: it didn't quite grab me. It sorta lacks heart. The whole production just sorts of slides past you like a Wonka Bar on a conveyor belt. And you enjoy it like a candy bar. Then forget about it. Although completely engrossing, the film was a bit lazily put together in some ways: in some parts the cast seem to be standing in the wrong place and some effect is missed because of this. One minor annoyance is that I couldn't understand half of what the Umpa Lumpas were singing. (Some large, multicoloured subtitles, or something similar to the 'displaying of key-words' strategy in the original film would surely have helped there).
If the film was about to be erased from my memory, (by means of some novelty Wonka candy created to do this), before I eat this magical candy I would write a note to myself to go see the film again.
And the message in that note would also I think be valid to all those out there who would like to escape reality for a cuppla with a trip to this absorping, charming and captivating candyland:
"Go see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"