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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Review by: Alexis Tuminello

AlexisTuminello@TheCinemaSource.com

I can not stop calling this movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Maybe it's just because that’s a movie I can quote along with it.

Then I walk into a store today (I'm waiting for a bag to go on sale, it's going to be never.) and the two clerks were discussing the genius, talent, and just overall praise for Depp and Burton. I couldn't help but agree.

Willy Wonka, Willy Wonka, a theme song you can't get out of your head. Too bad it's in the movie for all of thirty seconds sung by rejects from the Disney Small World ride.

If you go into this movie expecting Depp to just be a battier version of Gene Wilder's Wonka you're bargaining for a surprise. I saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at a morning screening, went home and watched Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and then went to three different libraries to track down Dahl's print version that inspired both films. I got a one two three punch.
Both versions pulled their own cues from Dahl's words and crudely drawn caricatures. Wilder takes the wild side with the tone of his voice providing the film's comic delivery aided by puff kids resembling the books pictures and Oompa Loompas orange and ridiculous. Let's invite all the kiddies.

Burton's turns the light fantastical story into a darker Burtonesque (opening reminiscent of the original Batman) more fantastical outrageous edible bizarre utopia with all sorts of mishaps waiting to happen and casting Depp as an awkward pasty recluse amused by his own comments.

These two movies are completely different loosely based on the same genius "” I doubt Burton even watched the Wilder one so his own originality would shine through. Wilder is the Wonka for the children, Depp is the Wonka for adults.

In Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the jokes are more mature, subdued, and tailored to an audience that are already Tim Burton fans or for those who like to get the joke that half the audience misses.

We all know the story; four spoiled kids and a destitute Charlie Bucket (Freddie Highmore) are the lucky ones to find the five golden tickets assuring them a sneak peek at the inner delights in the mysterious Wonka factory. On top of access they are all guaranteed a life time supply of candy and one will receive a "special" prize. With only Charlie left with out a 21st century Oompa Loompa ditty sung about him he seems to win the "special" prize by default. But like everything else in life there is a catch, Wonka has his list of stipulations. Rules Charlie must agree to in order

to escape his pathetic surrounding but Wonka's out there so the great glass elevator might not be enough incentive to entice Charlie's agreement. Hey if I could live in that place I'd not think twice before I nodded to whatever eccentric Wonka asks.

It's Warner Brothers not Disney so place your bets on a Burtonesque ending. Who'll come out of here with the least damage? As I mentioned it's not the plastic Wonka theme singers. But I can't wait to take the ride again.

Movie Grade: B+

Big credit to Deep Roy, the Oompa Loompa who puts the orange faced, green haired jokes to shame.

I can't review without comparison. Sorry. I love them both. There are two completely different films. Two completely different Wonka's and I can't get enough. I own one and I will own the other as soon as I can possible get my hands on it.

Synopsis

A Tim Burton spin on a familiar family classic.
Charlie Bucket comes from a poor family, and spends most of his time dreaming about the chocolate that he loves but usually can’t afford. Things change when Willy Wonka, head of the very popular Wonka Chocolate empire, announces a contest in which five gold tickets have been hidden in chocolate bars and sent throughout the country. The kids who find the tickets will be taken on a tour of Wonka’s chocolate factory and get a special glimpse of the wonders within. Charlie miraculously finds a ticket, along with four other children much naughtier than him. The tour of the factory will hold more than a few surprises for this bunch.