Charlie and the Chocolate Factory [PG]

After years of mystery and wonder, Mr. Wonka has decided to let five children visit his famous chocolate factory for a day. As poor Charlie Bucket watches other children find the sought-after golden tickets that will grant them access to the world’s most famous chocolate factory, it saddens him to think that he may never get his chance. However, Charlie’s luck changes when he finds some money in the street and buys the Wonka bar that contains the last remaining golden ticket. Now he has the chance to make all his dreams come true, but at what cost?

Of course we have to have a look at this movie because it is done by Tim Burton and we all know what a fan I am of his. Based on the book by Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a wonderful story of love, family, and sweets.

Charlie Bucket is an ordinary boy living with his parents and grandparents in a house that is falling apart. And still Charlie is quite content. He has a family that loves him and tells him stories about the world’s most famous candy man, Willy Wonka. Mystery and wonder surrounds Mr. Wonka’s chocolate factory, but now he has decided to let five children visit his factory for one whole day. In five ordinary Wonka bars lie five golden tickets and the children who find those tickets will be granted access to the world’s most famous chocolate factory. As Charlie watches other children find the sought-after tickets, he is saddened to think that it will never be him. But his luck changes when he finds some money in the street and buys the Wonka bar that holds the last golden ticket. Now Charlie has the chance to get all he ever wanted, but at what cost?

Here’s a fun fact for anyone who’s interested, Roald Dahl wrote the original screenplay for Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, starring Gene Wilder. However, when he saw the film, he was infuriated and claimed that “it placed too much emphasis on Willy Wonka and not enough on Charlie.” He actually disowned the film and no more versions were made during his lifetime. Now here we sit watching Tim Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, loving it to pieces. This movie is actually much truer to the book than the original one. I really do think that only Tim Burton could have done this film. Many of the Dahl books are quirky and original and have a dark sense of humour. Now I don’t want to create a sort of stereotype, but it has “Tim Burton” written all over it. I seriously think that only those with a sinister mind can really appreciate Dahl’s writing.

Freddie Highmore stars as Charlie and he was perfect. He looks like a pure soul. Unselfish, loving, accepting, and moral. Qualities that are hard to come by these days. This is the second film in which Freddie has worked with Johnny Depp. You might remember that they stood toe to toe in Finding Neverland where Freddie gave a breathtaking and tear-jerking performance. He’s a very talented young actor.

Johnny Depp is the eye candy in the film, starring as Mr. Willy Wonka. Absolutely brilliant! He’s really just a big kid, which is quite in keeping with the character. During the film, we witness a series of flashbacks of Wonka’s childhood, or lack thereof, and it completely makes sense that a boy who was expected to me a man would inevitably grow into a man who is actually a boy. Johnny steals every scene he’s in. With all the best jokes and a wonderful costume, he is too tempting to resist. I have to draw attention to something that only a tragic person like me would notice. There is a scene in this film where Wonka is sharing a meal with the Oompa Loompas. During this meal, Johnny does the tongue motion that he did in Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas. I don’t know if it was natural or deliberate, but I found it hugely entertaining.

I do need to draw special attention to the sets and the costumes in this movie. Simply out of this world. There is so much colour used and some of the sets like Fudge Mountain and the factory itself were absolutely breathtaking. Not to mention the soundtrack. Genius Danny Elfman strikes again! That’s the thing I really love about Tim Burton’s movies, he tends to work with all the same people. He’s worked with Johnny on numerous films, same with a number of other cast members on this film. Danny Elfman provides the soundtrack to many of his movies, and Susie Figgis provides the cast. It’s its own little film family. I love it.

Behind Freddie and Johnny are a number of familiar faces including Noah Taylor, David Kelly, Helena Bonham Carter, Missi Pyle, James Fox, Liz Smith, Eileen Essell, Deep Roy, and Christopher Lee. What more can you want? Filled with wonderful child actors, singing, dark humour, chocolate, and comeuppances, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is an absolute treat from start to finish.