Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

Mixed reviews and creepy comparisons to Michael Jackson notwithstanding, Tim Burton's splendidly imaginative adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory would almost surely meet with Roald Dahl's approval. The celebrated author of darkly offbeat children's books vehemently disapproved of 1971's Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (hence the change in title), so it's only fitting that Burton and his frequent star/collaborator, Johnny Depp, should have another go, infusing the enigmatic candyman's tale with their own unique brand of imaginative oddity. Depp's pale, androgynous Wonka led some to suspect a partial riff on that most controversial of eternal children, Michael Jackson, but Burton's film is too expansively magnificent to be so narrowly defined. While preserving Dahl's morality tale on the hazards of indulgent excess, Burton's riotous explosion of color provides a wondrous setting for the lessons learned by Charlie Bucket (played by Freddie Highmore, Depp's delightful costar in Finding Neverland), as he and other, less admirable children enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime tour of Wonka's confectionary wonderland. Elaborate visual effects make this an eye-candy overdose (including digitally multiplied Oompa-Loompas, all played by diminutive actor Deep Roy), and the film's underlying weirdness is exaggerated by Depp's admirably risky but ultimately off-putting performance. Of course, none of this stops Burton's Charlie from being the must-own family DVD of 2005's holiday season, perhaps even for those who staunchly defend Gene Wilder's portrayal of Wonka from 34 years earlier. --Jeff Shannon

DVD features
The second disc is filled with a number of distinctive featurettes. The likely crowd-pleaser in most households is "Attack of the Squirrels," which recounts how those fuzzy little creatures (a combination of hard-to-train live animals, animatronics, and computer graphics) can be ornery in their own right. "The Fantastic Mr. Dahl" is a 17-minute look at author Roald Dahl through vintage footage and new interviews with family, friends, and colleagues. "Becoming Oompa-Loompa" follows Deep Roy as he is filmed over and over again through his dance steps and music performances.

Roy is a constant throughout the kids' activities as well. You can follow him to learn two different dance steps "Augustus Gloop" and "Violet Beauregarde," and make him taste weird candy inventions in a simple game. "Search for the Golden Ticket" is a five-part challenge that tests your remote-control fingers, your deductive abilities, or your luck. Finally, if you just want basic behind-the-scenes information, "Making the Mix" is a collection of featurettes (around 40 minutes total) covering the film's casting, music, production design, and special effects. --David Horiuchi Amazon.com

Sick and disgusting

This is a piece of excrement. Dark and dismal is the best to describe it. It is stupid, vulgar, and believe me, as a person who grew up on Caligula and other porn, this piece of filth is not worth buying.

Anyone who favors this over the earlier version is morally inept. I am ASTONISHED Disney Channel shows this.

No redeeming social value. None at all. September 14, 2008

CHOCOLATELY DELICIOUS & DELIGHTFUL!

I really tried hard not to like this movie, believing it to be for the kiddies, but it turned out to be a really pleasant surprise. Gene Wilder's "Willie Wonka & The Chocolate Factory" was tongue-in-cheek delightful in 1971 and, here, Tim Burton creates another masterful rendition - without LSD!!

Young Freddie Highmore as Charlie Bucket is a refreshingly unpretentious child, with a wide-eyed innocence, a rarity among today's movie youth. I'm so sick of Haley Joel Osment (whose transformation from a child to a teen actor is as squeeky as his voice change) and Dakota Fanning (she's already developed the Hollywood Red Carpet fake-me-out "Opened Mouth Molar Exposing Smile" and "The Left Leg Crossed Over The Right From The Crotch" pose of her older contemporaries). The fabulous Helena Bonham Carter portrays a down-and-out mother with the same English grace and delicance as she does a noblewoman. But, it's under-rated actor Gordeep "Deep" Roy, cloned into a kazillion cavity-creating Oompa-Loompas, who really steals the show. He rocks more latex here than a Trojan factory!

It's obvious that Johnny Depp puts a lot of thought into the roles that he chooses and he's not ashamed to just act a fool as evidenced by "Ed Wood" and "Pirates of the Caribbean". But, in the wake of the Michael Jackson scandals, Johnny Depp's domino-toothed Willie Wonka is a tad disturbing. I mean, holding a contest to lure young children "to tour your playland" doesn't really work for me right now.

However, in the spirit of the 1964 book by British writer Roald Dahl, I decided not to be too literal in watching this. I just got out a pint of Haagen-Dazs ice cream, added a double-dose of hot fudge and a whole can of whipped cream, put on my bunny slippers, and enjoyed the ride. August 3, 2008

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2 Disc Special Edition) DVD

Interesting version of the original Willie Wonka. The kids wanted to watch it over and over again.
Updated graphics and songs. Loved the little boy who played Charlie--sweet spirit. July 31, 2008

Love the Movie

My family and I loved the movie, if you havent seen it you must. July 27, 2008

Horrible, Horrible, Horrible

That's the only way I can describe this remake with Johnny Depp. This version lacks the charm, warmth and humor found in the original version with Gene Wilder. Johnny Depp comes across cold and unfeeling without any enthusiasm thru out the whole entire movie. The rest of the cast stunk just as well. I can't even imagine how this movie got the ratings that it did but I for sure will never watch this version again. July 22, 2008

More reviews at Amazon.com ...