 Movie
Reviews
with Evelyn Gough
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Directed by Tim Burton
 Just
another morning tea break at The Echo...
Fancy a threesome? I do, especially if it consists of the combined talents
of Johnny Depp, Tim Burton and Roald Dahl! Each is a genius in his own right and
their collaboration has resulted in the fantasy masterpiece Charlie and the Chocolate
Factory.
Roald Dahl's wickedly dark children's classic was published in 1964 and was
first filmed in 1971 as Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory starring Gene Wilder.
Despite having worked on the script himself, Dahl was never happy with the finished
film.
I'm sure that if he was alive today he would feel very differently about director
Tim Burton's version, which star's Hollywood's Peter Pan, Johnny Depp, as Willy
Wonka.
This dazzling adaptation truly captures the essence of Dahl's story about young
Charlie Bucket, played by the very gifted Freddie Highmore. He lives with his
parents (Helena Bonham-Carter and Noah Taylor) and grandparents (David Kelly,
Eileen Essel, David Morris and Liz Smith) in a tiny dilapidated cottage. They
may not have much in the way of worldly possessions but they make up for that
with love.
Charlie's luck is about to change when the world famous, reclusive candy maker
Willy Wonka announces he is opening his factory to the five lucky children who
find the special golden tickets hidden in his Wonka chocolate bars. Each winner
will receive a guided tour of his factory and a lifetime supply of chocolate.
Only one child will receive the exclusive prize awarded at the end of the tour...
This is the fourth Tim Burton film Depp has starred in and as an actor who
prefers off-the-wall roles he was the logical choice to play the eccentric chocolatier
Willy Wonka. And he obviously relished the role, bringing a vulnerability and
depth to the character who otherwise could have seemed just weird, in a hilarious
but slightly creepy Michael Jackson way.
And only a director as visionary as Tim Burton could have recreated the wonderful
world imagined by Roald Dahl.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is an amazing magical adventure for children
and grown-ups alike.
With music and songs by another Burton favourite, Danny Elfman, and wonderful
performances from the entire cast, this is a sweet treat guaranteed to leave you
feeling completely satisfied. And best of all, it won't make you fat.
Rating: 
|
