Review of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

For ubermunkey

Peculiar movie, darker than Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971). As Wonka, Johnny Depp is more dangerous and perverse than Gene Wilder. At first appearance he resembles Michael Jackson with androgynous face and hair, weird skin, and dark glasses. Director Tim Burton is trying to resurrect the tortured solitude of Edward Scissorhands (1990), but with limited success. And Depp is more convincing, compelling and sympathetic as Scissorhands than as Jackson Wonka.

To the best of my memory, it follows the same storyline closely to a point, but as the tour penetrates deeper into the factory its rooms reflect newer technology. The squirrel scene, which replaces the geese laying golden eggs, turns terrifying. You don't expect a Hollywood movie to let children come to harm, yet some of these brats and their parents deserve barbarism.

Where this movie diverges the most is in relating Wonka's back story in a series of flashbacks. This complicates his character and gives the tale a deeper moral spin. I'm curious to read the book and see whether the movie attempts to strike closer to the original story.

I was at first pleasantly surprised but ultimately disappointed to find Helena Bonham Carter in the role of Charlie's mother. She acted with restraint to avoid upstaging more important roles. Delightful, though, was Grandpa Joe played by David Kelly, whom I recognized from the role of Michael O'Sullivan in Waking Ned Devine (1998), a favourite comedy from recent years.

Overall it was an entertaining movie, particularly the magical opening scenes and the more sinister middle sections. The ending is predictable.

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P.S. Surprisingly, I was intrigued by all the previews. In fact, counting two or three already running, there are about six features coming out this year that I care to see. More than one or two is rare.

Most of all: Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.