- Film Review
- Reviewed By Andrew Collins
-
3 out of 5
After Batman and Planet of the Apes, Tim Burton continues to rewrite a generation's childhood with a new adaptation of Roald Dahl's much-loved book. A fashionable but superfluous backstory aside, Burton sticks faithfully to the text: poverty-stricken Charlie Bucket (Finding Neverland's Freddie Highmore, the film's heart) is one of five competition winners on a guided tour of Willy Wonka's sweet factory. Johnny Depp's camp, childlike Wonka - weirdly reminiscent of Michael Jackson - is fun but ultimately too distant to recapture the love generated by Gene Wilder in the original. The production design looks good enough to eat, however, and it is here that Burton exposes the technical limitations of the once-definitive 1971 musical, employing computer animation to dazzling effect. Dahl's trademark black humour remains, but ultimately this can't decide if it's a timeless fairy tale or, with its video games, S&M and MTV-influenced dance routines, a modern parable.
Plot Summary
Fantasy adventure starring Johnny Depp and featuring Freddie Highmore. Impoverished Charlie Bucket wins the last of five golden tickets hidden inside chocolate bars, entitling him to a guided tour of Willy Wonka's mysterious sweet factory. But it's an adventure that will have different results for all the children involved.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Willy Wonka
- Johnny Depp
- Mrs Bucket
- Helena Bonham Carter
- Mr Salt
- James Fox
- Dr Wilbur Wonka
- Christopher Lee
- Charlie Bucket
- Freddie Highmore
- Grandpa Joe
- David Kelly
- Mrs Beauregarde
- Missi Pyle
- Violet Beauregarde
- AnnaSophia Robb
- Augustus Gloop
- Philip Wiegratz
- Veruca Salt
- Julia Winter
- Mike Teavee
- Jordan Fry
- Mr Teavee
- Adam Godley
- Mr Bucket
- Noah Taylor
- Oompa Loompa
- Deep Roy
- Grandma Georgina
- Liz Smith
- Prince Pondicherry
- Nitin Chandra Ganatra
- Princess Pondicherry
- Shelley Conn
- Man with dog
- Kevin Eldon
- Man with dog
- Mark Heap
- Shopkeeper
- Oscar James
- Jolly woman
- Annette Badland
- Narrator
- Geoffrey Holder
Crew
- Director
- Tim Burton
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