Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: A Wonka-style Elevator Ride

I have to begin this review with a confession: I adore Johnny Depp’s work, all of it.

That said, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the remake of Roald Dahl’s children’s story. Tim Burton has a disturbingly creative odd mind, so I went in expecting, well, oddities. Charlie delivered those well. I’m quite sure that anyone walking in and expecting something close to the Gene Wilder film, and hoping for that, walked out disappointed. There was very little similarity. Frankly, I was glad.

I enjoyed the original. It is a pleasant, heart-warming family movie with plenty of lessons for parents. Not to mention the gorgeous chocolate that covers the screen during the opening credits – who could turn away from that? On the other hand, the cuteness can, at times, be sickeningly sweet (pun intended). That wasn’t what the author intended.

Willy Wonka, in the original novel, is an odd man – not one to whom you would entrust your children. Burton hired the perfect actor for the role; one of the few in Hollywood who can actually act. When Johnny is a character, he is that character, even when it is such an odd role the audience could have trouble believing anyone could honestly be that odd. We don’t have trouble believing in Dahl’s Willy Wonka during this film any more than if we were reading the book.

Charlie, the lovable little boy who finds the last golden ticket, is portrayed more aptly in this version, also. Freddie Highmore, who worked in Depp’s previous film, Finding Neverland, charms the audience with his large eyes and humble attitude. We believe this child is honestly as caring and kind as the character he is portraying. We celebrate with him when we watch his dreams come true.

Burton gave the grandparents in Charlie a more important role in this film than they had in Mel Stuart’s version, giving the whole thing a more rounded storyline. They are not simply background characters, but important elements to the plot. In the same manner, the Oompah Loompahs, all played by the same actor, add much depth and personality that I didn’t find in the original. And, we get to see their story instead of simply being told why they were there – an important element of fiction.

No movie review would be complete without mentioning the special effects. The chocolate is gorgeous in the first version, true. However, everything is a mixture of gorgeous and creepy and everything in between in Charlie. The viewer alternates between a watering mouth, envious eyes, and stomach-churning disgust. They change directions as quickly as Willy Wonka’s elevator. Somehow, though, Burton maintains the odd theme all the way through, while still keeping it believable on some level. We all know an elevator can’t go upwards and downwards and backwards and forwards and sideways and slantways … but we tend to imagine that it could during the film.

We also imagine the movie could carry us along with it as long as it wishes. There was no wasted space, filled time, or moments that made me check my watch, as I often do at the theater. Yet, it left me satisfied that the complete story had been told.

There are three things, other than the skill of the actors and producers, that make me love this movie. First, I laughed all the way through it. That is odd for me. I’m not that easily impressed. The snippy lines, well-written and well-delivered, were irresistible. Even better, they were intelligently humorous. I find that lacking in most movies.

Second, the music was magnificent – as varied and as unexpected as Wonka’s candy creations. The genius of composer Danny Elfman, combined with Burton’s vision of the film, and the actual lyrics written by Roald Dahl created a spectacular collage of humor, sarcasm, creepiness, and contemplation. That, alone, should mark this as one of the best films of the summer.

Third, this version has that all-important element of story-telling that Stuart’s film was missing: character growth. Burton picked up on the whys of the novel, filling in extra information to give the viewer reasons for characters being as they were. In the original, none of the characters changed. Charlie was a sweet child who won his reward for remaining a sweet child. The other children received their retributions for not being sweet children. Willy Wonka also stayed the same loving, caring man. In Burton’s (and Dahl’s) Charlie, however, Willy Wonka changed throughout the adventure. By getting to know Charlie, and having his offer refused, Willy learned an important lesson: family comes first. His whole attitude adjusts, slowly, throughout the film. We get to watch him grow.

Overall, the film quality of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) is unrivaled this summer. It is still a family film, for those with older children (younger ones may be unsettled during certain scenes). If you’re ready for a good laugh and fun romp that involves highly intelligent conversation and unerring production, go see Tim Burton’s Charlie.