Flawed but Still Worth Watching

Rating: 5/10 (22 November 2005)

The film version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory finally has the right title, but the film is not half as good as the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory which had a great performance by Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka, his performance has vibe and is constantly hilarious, while Johnny Depp is extremely annoying and only occasionally funny. Depp is usually one of my favorite actors, but he is just wrong for Wonka and doesn't work in the least. The other performances are good though, as is the direction. The story has been majorly changed so it fits Tim Burtons usual plot about the bad guys or at least the unhappy ones having bad relationships with their parents, fathers in particular. The visual effects and art direction are dazzling but a little distracting. They are the real star of this new film. Although not entirely bad Charlie and the Chocolate Factory disappoints and although worth watching may not be one to rush to see.