Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

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

Lame and disturbing

This was a really creepy rendition of a great classic movie. Even thought the special-effects are many times better, this version of the story has lost all of the charm. Lame and disturbing. The original was much better.

Not recommended. July 21, 2008

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