Tragic

Rating: 1/10 (23 August 2009)

well, i can't actually comment on the whole of this film, as i turned over after an hour or so. thats how bad it is.
The original film, although not true to the book was wonderful. Gene Wilder's Wonka was inspired. Eccentric, mysterious and somewhat scary, although not in a bad way. Depp is none of these things, oh sorry, if you count a rather disturbing Jackson-like portrayal of Wonka, then at least it hits the 'scary' note!
So many things in this film disappoint that its difficult to know where to start. The flashbacks to Wonka's childhood are just ridiculous and totally un-necessary. The Oompa Loompas (or should I say Oompa Loompa) are just plain boring, no green hair or orange faces or brilliant songs this time. I know that in the Dahl book the Oompas were actually meant to be pigmys, and were changed to the 1971 characters for fear of interpretation of racism, but they actually added another dimension to the film which was a touch of genius.
its kind of like the sadness i encountered when the film version of The Hitchhikers Guide to The Galaxy was made. both were totally unrequired, insults to the original. Typical for Burton to think that modern special effects would improve the story. they don't. what good films need is charisma, and you can't CG that i'm afraid.
Read the book, or watch the original. I just feel sorry for those who only know the story through this terrible remake which is a complete travesty IMHO.