a dull ride through a great story

Rating: 1/10 (2 February 2011)

I grew watching the original and have fond memories of it. I re-watched the original 1971 version a few years ago and the found it did not hold up in regards to the production value and photography clichés that were prevalent back in the late 60's and early 70's. Like so many things, memories are better left in the mind than the reality that exists on film. Having said that...I must say that the production value on the 2005 remake is better...but not much else. The dramatic story elements flat line in this remake. The moment where Charlie finds his Golden Ticket is so anti-climatic compared to the 1971 version that I jumped back on the DVD to see if I blinked and missed the moment. The sub-plot of the five children being approached by Wonka's competitor and bribing them to steal the Chocolate masters secrets is not there at all and it is sorely missed from the original. The elimination of the four other children, due to their character's short comings, is not as pronounced as in the original version. The main character, Charlie, is not "tested" on his morals, like in the 71' version, except on one moment near the end of the film, except he does not change and become a hero, he just stays the same throughout which is boring, dramatically speaking. Then we come to Johnny Depps interpretation of the Willy Wonka character...Depp, always a fine actor in any genre, this time stumbles along in a weird, wimpy and effeminate Child-man version of Wonka that leaves this viewer wondering "why". I realize that any actor worth his salt as Depp is, would not tread on the same ground as another actor and simply mimic his performance, but to go 180 degrees the other way was not a wise choice. Gene Wilders "Wonka" was dark, funny and wise, leading his five prospective heirs on a moral journey through self while Depp's "Wonka" finds himself on a Oompa Loompa psychotherapist sofa pondering the scars of his childhood. I am a huge fan of Christopher Lee but seeing him in the clunky flashbacks of Wonkas childhood took me out of the film every time. All in all a very dull movie with no danger or tension at any turn. I'll stick to the corny 1971 production values that had strong performances and dramatic tension in the storyline and a much more satisfying ending.