Loved it!

Rating: 10/10 (17 July 2005)

I'll admit I had reservations about this movie at first. Nothing I heard or saw about it did anything but creep me out, and I'm a Depp fan. However, since Pirates, my daughter notices anything with Johnny Depp's picture on it, and asked me to buy a paperback of the book and read it to her. Since I hadn't read it in some 25 years, and was planning to see the movie anyway, I figured what the heck. Wow. What a dark little tale Charlie and the Chocolate Factory really is. I had completely forgotten.
I heard the movie was going to be truer to the book than the 1971 film, which I disliked as a child because I read the book before seeing it. Having reread the book all these years later, I think Burton and Depp nailed it. There is no comparison with the earlier movie. There shouldn't be. This film, including the characterization of Mr. Wonka, must be seen in the context Roald Dahl reveals in his book. Willy Wonka is a recluse, having hidden himself away from society for many years. He has been able to mold his own little world to his liking, without outside interference. Even when he sees a need to invite people back into his factory, he is understandably very wary of them and intolerant of meddling and confrontation. The story is meant to be a moral tale, and this film keeps that feel with more depth than the 1971 film. There are creative bits added to the story in the film, including some symbolism and the back story, but, apologies to Roald Dahl fans, I came away from the movie feeling more fulfilled than I did after finishing the book.