Don't touch that squirrel's nuts!

Rating: 9/10 (16 July 2005)

When I first heard that Tim Burton was remaking the 1971 version of "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" due to it's questionable loyalty to its source, I literally jumped with joy. As a hardcore Roald Dahl fan, I absolutely despised the earlier version. I hated the fact that they had made this rather dark fantasy into a sugar-coated sickening-sweet fairytale. And although Gene Wilder is a wonderful actor, I also felt that his portrayal of Willy Wonka was completely incorrect. So, if you absolutely loved the 1971 version, I've got a strange feeling you probably won't feel the same way about this film.
John August, who wrote the script for this version, is much more loyal to the book, except for a few additions (ie flashbacks of Willy Wonka's childhood). Tim Burton finds this amazing balance between beauty and darkness through his direction, something that was never achieved with the 1971 film. The child actors are perfect to a T in their roles, especially Freddie Highmore as the lovable Charlie Bucket. Johnny Depp portrays Willy Wonka as if he's Michael Jackson on acid, and although that may seem extremely scary and bizarre, it works here.
All-in-all, Tim Burton has created a modern-day classic that both old and young should be able to appreciate and enjoy. Roald Dahl (RIP) would be proud.