Director: Tim Burton
Release Date: 2005
Running Time: 1hr 55 minutes
Genre: Family
Rating: PG
Synopsis:
A young boy wins a tour through the most significant chocolate factory in the world, led by the world's most unusual candy maker.
Tim Burton delivers a unique and quirky adaptation of one of the most beloved children's books of all time. Burton certainly has a different approach when it comes to directing his films, this one is no different. Charlie Bucket (Highmore) dreams of the ever so near chocolate factory that resides in his town, smelling the warmth that surrounds it, that gorgeous chocolate fragrance we all love. After years of closure and inconspicuous in's and out's, Willy Wonka (Depp) announces that he is releasing five golden tickets out into the world for those five lucky winners who will tour his factory and enter into a realm of magic and dreams!
It's very similar to Mel Stuart's "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory", however Tim Burton has definitely put more effort in when it comes to making his adaptation authentic. In Burton's adaptation we see into Willy Wonka's childhood, what inspired him to become a chocolatier in the first place. Although Stuart's adaptation is excellent, it was always missing that part of the story. The decision to show parts of Willy's childhood throughout the course of the film, personally drags down the story. It would have been nice to have been shown his childhood at the beginning of the film, rather than little snippets here and there. It pulls away from the story ever so slightly.
Johnny Depp's portrayal of Willy Wonka is different to say the least. Wonderfully eccentric, you couldn't of honestly asked for a more versatile actor to take on the role. Despite wanting to give his chocolate factory to a child, Wonka comes across exceedingly awkward towards children. Is this because of the way his father treated him? Or is he simply an eccentric introvert? Depp is magnificent at showing these emotions through his eyes. Freddie Highmore stars as the young Charlie Bucket, relatively unknown at the time, Highmore delivers a charming performance. Fantastically innocent, the relationship he shares with his family blossoms through his wonderful characterization. Highmore, even to this day is truly amazing at showing emotions through his performances. There's no doubt that perhaps Wonka can see a little bit of Charlie in himself.
Burton has modernised some characters and particularly those scenes in which they shine the most. Augustus Gloop, Mike TeaVee, Veruca Salt and Voilet Beauregarde don't come across quite as bratty as they did in the original film, however their portrayals are still very good. In the original film, Augustus Gloop was seen more as a passionate foodie rather than a greedy boy. This time however, we are shown an overweight boy who is constantly seen stuffing his face with Wonka bars. A greedy boy with a selfish personality. The decision to only cast Deep Roy as all of the Oompa Loompas was quite a bold move and most likely due to financial constraints. It would have been nice to have seen different actors portray the Oompa Loompas to show their different personalities in each scene in which they are used.
The production and set design are outstanding. Bright and colourful, it matches Willy Wonka's eccentric personality brilliantly. Tim Burton clearly took ideas from previous films, more noticeably "The Nightmare Before Christmas", with the tight curving of the grass hill in the chocolate room. Notice the costumes match the colours of the factory and the Wonka Bars. Blues, Reds, Greens and Browns. The intricate details on the front of the Wonka Bars, to the point they all have individual flavours on them if you look carefully. Charlie even has a few of the wrappers stuck on the wall of his bedroom. Of course who can forget the chocolate itself, Choccywoccydoodah reportedly made some of the chocolate for this film. Toffee Apples, Candy Canes, Gobstoppers, what's not to love?
Danny Elfman's score works fantastically alongside the storyline and the characters. The beauty of Elfman's work is that it always has an essence of darkness to it, it's recognisable, it's no surprise that Tim Burton has him score his films time and time again. Two peas in a pod. Burton's adaptation is impressive, creative and wonderfully unique. Perfect for those who are a little bit more open-minded about book adaptations and don't mind something a little bit different.
3.5/5
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