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 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory(2005)Rated: G for quirky situations, action and mild language. Runtime: 115 mins. Director: Tim Burton Writer: Roald Dahl (book); John August (screenpla Cast: Johnny Depp; Freddie Highmore; David Kelly; Helena Bonham Carter. Tagline: The Factory Opens July 2005. Genre: Family/Adventure Studio: Warner Brothers Official Site: chocolatefactorymovie.warnerbros.com Memorable Quote: "Chewing gum is really gross. Chewing gum I hate the most.
All of these films, however, seem to have been building the blocks for their newest collaboration on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Charlie may not be the best film of the bunch (that title still belongs to Ed Wood), but it definitely plays to both Depp and Burton’s strengths the most. Tim Burton has a penchant for the visual and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is without a doubt the most “Tim Burton-y” Tim Burton film to date. Expressionistic lines, curves and wigglys dominate the factory landscape, while the factory itself looms as a truly gothic centerpiece to the fictitious town in which it resides. Depp also gets a chance to do what he really does best: be wildly and hilariously eccentric. In fact, this eccentricity is what Willy Wonka is all about. He’s an outsider with a foppish haircut. He just isn’t quite right, and he revels in his own weirdness. Does he fit in with the so-called normal adults that take the tour of his factory with their children? No…and he likes that just fine. Wonka may be Depp’s most bizarre creation to date, but it never feels like weird for the sake of weird. Johnny creates a truly memorable character…one that stands far removed from Gene Wilder’s original interpretation. Anyone familiar with Roald Dahl’s book or the original 1971 film knows the basic jist of the story. Willy Wonka, the famous candy-maker, invites five children of different backgrounds (who have discovered five golden tickets hidden in his candy bars) to tour his factory…with a prize waiting for one child at the end of the journey. The fun is not in the premise, but in the wonderfully executed “ride” through the factory itself. While the Gene Wilder original had some of the same sets and colorful landscapes, it’s Burton’s direction that truly makes this factory the stuff of dreams. Beside Burton and Depp, the other star of this newest incarnation would have to be the Oompa Loompas (Played beautifully by Deep Roy) They are a stylistic departure from the original film and work as both comic relief and musical interlude. Scored and voiced by the fantastic Danny Elfman, the Oompa Loompas break into song at, um…key points in the film. They are fun, peppy, and cool moments that almost turn this adaptation into a quasi-musical. Wait until you get a load of Depp’s intro as Wonka…it’s a hoot. For my money, this film stands shoulder to shoulder with the original. I would even argue that it’s a better film than the original. It may always live in the shadow of its predecessor just because of the inherent nature of remakes, but it’s definitely…you guessed it, more interesting. I loved everything about Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and truly welcome more Depp/Burton collaborations (I won’t have to wait long, Corpse Bride arrives in November.) For your summer bucks, and what a summer it’s been, Depp and Burton’s confection might be just the (golden) ticket. Richard Dennis 
Don't agree with this review? Have something to add? Read or post comments about this film or review on the CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY discussion forum Screen formats: Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85:1
Number of discs: - 2 - Keepcase packaging.
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