Where are we?

Rating: 6/10 (12 August 2005)

Being a fan of the book and original film I had high hopes for Tim Burton's stab at this fabulous tale. All praise to Johnny Depp for his magnificent performance- funny, quirky and charismatic. Unfortunately I cannot truthfully continue with praise for the rest of the film. Most disappointing of all were the Oompah-Loompahs. After the genius of Nightmare Before Christmas and Mars Attcks I suppose I was expecting something a bit more special from Burton and felt let down by what I felt in comparison was a lack of imagination. Also in the original the Oompah-Loompahs despite being lovable were also just a little bit sinister which I felt was lacking in this version and the film was poorer for it.
Also can anyone please explain to me where they were? America? England? I appreciate the film is children's fantasy but it did seem very odd and a bit confusing at times, for example Charlie and his family were English yet used dollars as the local currency! Overall I would say this film is worth watching but try not to have too high expectations because I did and left the cinema extremely let down and pining for the original.