Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Tim Burton (2005)

110min

PG Certificate

Review

Our Score

by Andrew Collins

A superfluous backstory aside, Tim Burton sticks faithfully to the text for this adaptation of Roald Dahl's much-loved book. Freddie Highmore is the beating heart of the film as poverty-stricken Charlie Bucket, who becomes one of five competition winners on a guided tour of Willy Wonka's phantasmagorical sweet factory. Johnny Depp's camp, childlike Wonka is fun but ultimately too distant to recapture the love generated by Gene Wilder in the 1971 musical version, Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. But, as with much of Burton's work, the production design looks good enough to eat, and the director really goes to town with the CGI razzle-dazzle.

Summary

Penniless Charlie Bucket is one of five lucky children who find a golden ticket in a chocolate bar, winning a once-in-a-lifetime tour of eccentric recluse Willy Wonka's magical sweet company. Unfortunately, the other winners each face a grim fate when they start to misbehave. Tim Burton's children's fantasy, based on Roald Dahl's novel, starring Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, Helena Bonham Carter, and Deep Roy playing all the Oompa Loompas.

Cast & Crew

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

Director Tim Burton

Other Information

Language: EnglishColourTheatrical distributor: Warner BrosGuidance: Edited for langauge.Available on: video, DVD and Blu-rayReleased on: 29 Jul 2005

Drama Children's

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