Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005, DVD)

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was one of my all time favorite movies as a kid. Of course, I was always a big fan of Gene Wilder, then again, I'm a huge fan of Johnny Depp as well. Although I thought the modern technology and brilliant colors in the new version of the movie were outrageous and delightful, I honestly liked the original better. A Lot of the movie parts differed from the original which I don't adept to very easily. For example: the part where the 4 family members are all in the same bed... It wasn't like the first one exactly and I actually noticed a few things that were quite different which I wasn't crazy about. Initially, many people and critics gave the new version ratings that weren't very confident and nearly everyone said that Johnny Depp was to weird for their liking. I on the other hand was quite intrigued by Depp. His character was a tad loopy and that was what made him charming. I am a bit partial towards Depp anyway. At any rate, I would recommend this movie to anyone and everyone. I'd even go as far as buying the DVD for my children and myself. In fact, having the original and the remake in the home could make for some interesting conversation. I hope this helps and encourages you to go rent the movie.

Johnny Depp and Tim Burton team up again in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - a hilarious and wildly visual remake of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Just like any other Tim Burton movie, Charlie & The Chocolate Factory is fantastic to watch - great color, production and direction. And just like any other Johnny Depp movie, its very well acted.

Johnny Depp and Tim Burton got rave reviews for the movie which drove strong box office success nationally and abroad. Kids and parents alike will enjoy the movie - for different reasons. Either way, its a very fun and different twist on a classic movie... and I'm always up for a Depp / Burton combination:

"Wondrous....Charlie and the Chocolate Factory moves, like Dahl's original, in a straight line from one inspired set piece to the next..."
New York Times - A. O. Scott (07/15/2005)

"Tim Burton surrounds Depp with miraculous visuals of spun sugar and creeping menace. Their missionary lunacy is a treat for twisted children of all ages."
Rolling Stone - Peter Travers (07/28/2005)

"Depp deserves kudos for fashioning an original and outlandish if occasionally menacing character in CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY....[The film is] a marvel of rich, colorful design and flair."
USA Today - Claudia Puig (07/15/2005)


Charlie & The Chocolate Factory Cast
Johnny Depp .... Willy Wonka
Freddie Highmore .... Charlie Bucket
David Kelly .... Grandpa Joe
Helena Bonham Carter .... Mrs. Bucket
Noah Taylor .... Mr. Bucket
Missi Pyle .... Mrs. Beauregarde
James Fox .... Mr. Salt
Deep Roy .... Oompa Loompa
Christopher Lee .... Dr. Wonka
Adam Godley .... Mr. Teavee
Franziska Troegner .... Mrs. Gloop
Annasophia Robb .... Violet Beauregarde
Julia Winter .... Veruca Salt
Jordan Fry .... Mike Teavee
Philip Wiegratz .... Augustus Gloop

Some Great Charlie & Chocolate Factory Quotes:

Violet Beauregarde: [hugs Wonka] Mr.Wonka, I'm Violet Beauregarde.
Willy Wonka: [Wonka looks at her terrified as she chews her gum] Oh. I don't care.
Violet Beauregarde: Well, you should care because I'm the girl who's gonna win the special prize at the end.
Willy Wonka: Well, you do seem confident and confidence is key.
Veruca Salt: I'm Veruca Salt. It's very nice to meet you, sir.
[does a curtsy]
Willy Wonka: I always thought a verruca was a type of wart you got on the bottom of your foot. Ha.


Augustus Gloop: [Augustus steps in front of Veruca] I'm Augustus Gloop. I love your chocolate.
Willy Wonka: I can see that. So do I. I never expected to have so much in common.
[Wonka stops and turns around to Mike]
Willy Wonka: You, you're Mike Teavee. You're the little devil who cracked the system.
[looks at Charlie]
Willy Wonka: And you, you're just lucky to be here, aren't you?

I had really high hopes for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but it couldn't match up to the original. This version tells the same classic story with a modern edge for a new generation of kids. The movie shows a more advanced and more twisted chocolate factory, which serves to better hold the attention and wonder of today's children. Willy Wonka, played by Johnny Depp seams crazy and intriguing... a little disturbing, the Oompa Loompa's have lost most of there charm and mysteriousness in this version, and Charlie is the same good-hearted little boy.
I enjoyed the original movie so much more. Willy Wonka, as psychotic didn't work will for the movie. The visuals were more intense, but not as interesting or as intricate. It was like watching my favorite musical performed by junior high students, where songs are replaced by modern ones and the costumes are less dramatic. Stick with the original.

This movie is quite different than the first. Johnny Depp and the personality he portrays puts a whole new twist to the movie. He makes interesting comments and facial expressions throughout and also takes us into his past to see how he has become this way. I would have to say it makes it more of a movie directed towards adults than the original. I really enjoyed the original movie and already had an idea of what this one was going to be about and then when I started to watch it I felt that some of the parts that seemed important in the first movie were taken out and should have remained the same. Although in contrast to that why redo a movie and make it exactly the same if the original was as excellant as it was. I would recommend renting this movie. The colors and songs ought to be worth checking out!!