Charlie And The Chocolate Factory DVD Review

"CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY" reviews

DVD

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2005-11-18 16:32:20

Provider

DVD Review

Tim Burton re-teams with his favourite leading man, Johnny Depp, for this remake of the 1971 family favourite based on Roald Dahl's classic story.

Depp's performance as the eccentric confectioner Willy Wonka excited controversy for its blatant, if hotly denied, similarity to another middle-aged recluse with a weakness for his inner child, namely Michael Jackson.

Surprisingly, Depp's turn isn't the best thing about the film (unlike Gene Wilder's excellent Wonka in the original film). Here, the eponymous role reverts, as in Roald Dahl's original book, to Charlie, the impoverished child who's one of five lucky winners of the golden ticket, securing a visit to the famous sweetie factory. Freddie Hightower is an excellent, likable and plucky Charlie, dragging his oddball Grandpa Joe around with him while avoiding the deservedly sorry fates of the other brattish kids.

Burton and Depp delve a little more deeply into Wonka's childhood - perhaps unwisely - but the film remains focused on the morality tales surrounding the various children.

There are many extras here too, including a look at how Tim Burton adapted the story, plus: the actors and the characters they play; production design; behind-the-scenes look at the film's special effects; the creation of the 4 Oompa-Loompa songs by composer Danny Elfman; how real squirrels were trained to perform in the film; author Roald Dahl's life and work and how one actor, Deep Roy, was turned into a multi talented army of Oompas.