Its good, but...

Rating: 8/10 (19 July 2005)

It could have been great. Johnny Depp is marvelous and Tim Burton is a master. But this just didn't come across as great. There was something missing. It could just be that the original was so fresh that it sticks with you for a long time, that when you're watching the new version, you're like 'well what about ...' or 'remember when...' But its still a good film. Johnny Depp is amazing as usual and his Wonka is a cool character, definitely weird, and mischievous. Visually, the movie is very fun and nice to look at. Again, its weird, but thats cool. A lot was made of this as being 'darker.' Yeah, some parts can be construed as darker, but I went in thinking the set designs were going to be like Sleepy Hollow. It is a film you can easily take a whole family too.
Overall, its a good fun flick I look forward to seeing again, although its not the best film of the year. (So far, for me, Batman Begins.)