Movie Reviews

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Rated PG-13 (2005)

Starring: Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, David Kelly, Deep Roy, Christopher Lee

Direction: Tim Burton

Production: Richard D. Zanuck, Brad Grey

Screenplay: John August, based on the book by Roald Dahl

by Vincent St. James

The Lowdown:

Despite some inconsistency, Depp is able to bring to life yet another character in ways that only he can. Tim Burton's set is a work of art that justifies the price of admission all by itself, but thankfully we also get a heck of an entertaining picture that reminds us what its like to have an imagination.

Burton...Depp...what did you expect?

Plot:

Poor, little Charlie Bucket (Freddie Highmore) strikes gold when he finds one of five winning golden tickets hidden in the World-Renowned Willy Wonka bars that ensure entrance to the great chocolate factory. The other winners include four youngsters that are nothing for their parents to be proud of: Augustus Gloop (Philip Wiegratz), a German who's daily supplement consists of chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate; Veruca Salt (Julia Winter), a bratty daughter of England's upper- upper class; Violet Beauregarde (Annasophia Robb), an abnoxious girl obsessed with competition and being a "winner"; and Mike Teavee (Jordon Fry), a video game/technology geek who won the ticket by cracking some code.

Charlie, ever so thoughtful of his parents (Helena Bonham Carter and Noah Taylor) winds up going to the factory with Grandpa Joe (David Kelly) where they meet the great Willy Wonka (Johnny Depp) and experience the wildness, the unbelievable spectacle that is Willy Wonka and his chocolate factory.

Analysis:

Its been over three decades since Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory was released with Gene Wilder starring in the title role as the father-like Wonka. Its been widely known that author Roald Dahl was repulsed by that version. Now, Tim Burton has decided to take a stab at it by trying to stay closer to the source material, and you know what? He succeeds .

The most breathtaking aspect of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is the set design. The homes of each child highlight their background and personalities better than words could. Charlies home really makes one feel for the poor boy. However its the Chocolate Factory itself that is unlike anything we've ever seen in cinema before. Its ten times more extravagant and detailed than Burton's old Gotham City from the Batman movies. Willy Wonka's home is complete with edible grass, colorful (also edible) trees, and the delicious chocolate waterfall. With flying elevators and hundreds of Oompa Loompas, one never knows what they will see next, keeping the film interesting all by itself. I can't forget to mention the energetically appropriate score by Danny Elfman. As the movie begins, it sets the tone for the rest of the film. We immediately feel immersed in this world just as the actors do.