Deeper Story and Amazing Visuals = Winner

Rating: 10/10 (18 July 2005)

Story- The screenplay is closer to Dahl's original book, but it does more - This new version of Charlie and the Chocolate factory plays on a deeper level, as we learn more about Willy Wonka. This movie fills in the gaps of the 70's version and makes many things clear from start to finish. From that, what we get is a deeper story, which is what we all want in a movie. That's what makes this so good. It doesn't end so abruptly like the first movie did. We all know that Charlie wins the chocolate factory but by the end of the movie, the real winner is Willy Wonka himself.
Acting- Perhaps its the charisma and great acting of Johnny Depp that makes it so incredible. He does a great job in every frame with his facial expressions. I also liked the new Charlie Bucket by Freddie Highmore; he brings a special innocence to the screen. Its nice to have Charlie's dad in the movie, as he was in the book. Grandpa Joe is very cheesy esp. when they find the golden ticket, but what do you expect? A lot of the characters are cheesy because we know the story, and know what's going to happen, so the writers and actors just have fun with that. The 4 other children are very similar to the old movie which works perfectly. And I laughed out loud every time the Oompa Loompas started to sing, cause we all know they are going to and the new songs are so cheesy.
Visuals- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory boasts visuals and special effects from scenes in the book that the original movie could not do. The nut room which was in the book, was in this movie. Fudge Mountain was shown, and much more CG images that Dahl envisioned. Even the opening credits are fun to watch. With more visuals, more can be shown and thus explained. Its visuals and story work hand in hand.
Overall - Go see this movie. If you appreciate a good movie that makes you think and somewhat cry, you will enjoy this. I generally dislike Tim Burton's work, but this is an exception I think anyone will like. I believe this movie was better than the first and am sure you will agree too.