CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

Director: Tim Burton (Edward Scissorhands, Batman, Ed Wood, Sleepy Hollow)
Starring: Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmoor, David Kelly

Tim Burton and Johnny Depp have “re-imagined” the almost classic children’s tale of Willy Wonka into a more psychologically grounded, albeit less fantastic voyage. Oh yes, there are bigger sights, and louder sounds, but much less whimsy in this version of the magical chocolate factory. Nonetheless, it is a fine little film taken in its own right – although it is difficult to take remakes “in their own right”, and perhaps rather pointless to do so. Johnny Depp got a lot of bad press for his Michael Jackson-esque portrayal of the childlike, yet creepy, Willy Wonka. I thought his role, while not a standout, was perfectly legitimate given the tone of this film. I will admit, however, that he was at the heart of the lack-of-heart in this film. Depp was creepy and weird as Wonka, but he was also entirely unlovable. Gene Wilder beat him by leaps and bounds on that score. A solid movie, but if you’re going to buy a Wonka DVD for your kids, you damn well better be buying the Gene Wilder original.

Standouts: Tim Burton’s unique direction. Freddie Highmoor as Charlie Bucket.
Blowouts: Johnny Depp – not necessarily bad, just weird.

Grade: B

7/23/2005