I must have seen it 50 times. My well worn VHS copy was replaced by the DVD a couple of years back - and I've seen it for sale on Blu ray so it's only a matter of time before I upgrade again... Even another repeat on TV is hard to pass up. Gene Wilder just draws you in...
So when I heard a remake was on the cards I was gobstopper-smacked! Why? Sure it was made in 1971 - but the story is timeless. It doesn't matter if Charlie Bucket is wearing flares. But then I heard Tim Burton was behind the update and I got excited. I'm a huge Burton fan and I thought if there's a director who can make the Chocolate Factory even more magical - it's him.
So in 2005 the all new Charlie & The Chocolate Factory was released starring Johnny Depp. I was skeptical about him filling Wonka's shoes. But it seemed a logical choice - Depp is a longtime Burton collaborator who specialises in oddball characters. I was also happy about Freddie Highmore playing Charlie. That is - until I saw it!!!
I can't quite put my finger on where the latter falls down. It just does. There's no wow factor. The factory is cold, spartan and uninviting. The Oompa Loompas are a tad evil at times. And Wonka is just creepy.
The 2005 movie is closer to the Roald Dahl book than the original - but it doesn't work for me. And the majority of my friends agree...
Who can take a sunrise
Sprinkle it in dew
Cover it in chocolate
and a miracle or two?
Willy Wonka circa 1971
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