Film Roar

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

It is a real pleasure to see a fresh and creative production just as the new adaptation of the Roald Dahl book: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005). For those who have read the book and were disappointed in the liberties taken by the 1971 adaptation (Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)) I am happy to say that readers of the book report the new movie is very true to the original source. For those of us who have not read the book but were annoyed by the cheesy 70s songs and stylings of the Gene Wilder version this new adaptation provides a refreshing update. For the rest the movie can simply be a rich fun summer movie that both kids and adults can enjoy.

The Trailer for the film is very honest. Yes the whole world of the movie is that well designed and coherent. Yes, Wonka really is that odd, creepy and childlike and yes the Oompa Loompas really are all played by a single digitally reduced person. If the movie seems a bit like it was written under the influence of hallucinogenic that is because it almost certainly was but the trip is one worth taking. I was a bit weirded out by the closely choreographed Oompa Loompa dance numbers but then again I think that was the point and I still greatly enjoyed it.

One of the best aspects of the movie is how well cast it is. Any doubts about Johnny Depp's ability to bring the hard to figure out the bewildering Wonka to life should be allayed, he gives the character both the child-like demeanor of the man who would not grow up and the eerie air of the paranoid recluse. The kids all also nail their respective roles, particularly Freddie Highmore as Charlie, Annasophia Robb as Violet and Julia Winter who makes a perfect Veruca Salt. Even better is David Kelly who is not only a pleasure to see on screen but (I am told) IS the Grandpa Joe from the book. I am beginning to feel sorry for Helena Bonham Carter who does a fine job but cannot get a break in my book anymore since she seems to be a shoo-in for any of her boyfriend's projects. And speaking of Burton, you Burton fans should keep an eye out for references to previous films including Depp's Scissorhands (1990) in his first full appearance as Wonka (you can see it in the trailer) as well as references to 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), Batman (1989) and others.