Looks nice, tastes bitter

Rating: 6/10 (11 August 2005)

So I agree largely with the hundreds of people who say that the film looks impressive with its stunning sets etc. Depp's performance was good, but as others have said, a little too Jackson-esquire to feel quite right.
HOWEVER, whatever you think of Burton's directing, why oh why must these Hollywood interpretations always remove the very soul and purpose of a book? In the book (and the 1971 film) the other four children disappear as per in Burton's film, and then Wonka sends an oompa loompa to take away their parents. Then, they are never mentioned again. Also, there is no happy ending. The glass elevator flies out of the top of the factory, and it ends. There's no paternal reunion (because that sub-plot didn't exist) and there is certainly no happy family in the factory scene.
To summarise, a little mystery and unknown is just unacceptable in a film these days. The idea that a kid could leave the cinema and think, "well I wonder what happened to all the other kids?" or "what happens to Charlie?" seems to be beyond Burton, which is frankly a shame as it ruins an otherwise superb film.
still, it's worth a watch.