Released: 7/15/05

Viewed: 11:00:am 7/17/05

Starring: Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, David Kelly, Deep Roy, Christopher Lee

Directed by: Tim Burton

Decide. Which are you? Wilder or Depp? 1971 or 2005? You can't have both. You can't rationalize needing two films about the same exact subject matter? Or can you? Sure you can. People have been saying for the past year how remaking Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory was completely unnecessary and a huge mistake. I can agree that it's not exactly necessary. The original is a deserved classic. But there's always room for interpretation. Especially from someone like Tim Burton

Shut it! Don't even say it! Ok, I'll say it. "Didn't Tim Burton make that crap fest Planet of the Ape's remake?" Yes, yes, we all know he did. And we all were disappointed. But can we really turn our back on the man that made such classics as Batman, Ed Wood, Pee Wee's Big Adventure, Edward Scissor Hands, The nightmare before Christmas, Big Fish... and the list goes one. Go ahead and pick out the two or three that you think are stinkers but you can't deny that the man has put together an ass kicking resume filled with a number of quality films.

The reason that so many of them are memorable or classic to me, oddly enough comes down to the details. Every little thing is thought out. Same with the Chocolate Factory remake. The finest details are considered, from the color of Wonka's gloves, to the crooked chimney of the Bucket home, to the way the towns folk walk they're dogs. Real thought went into all of that, and for me - the pay off is huge.

What's been created is a real fairy tale world. Everything is real enough so that it's believable as reality, but it's not. Things like this exist, but not exactly like this. It's a world of pure imagination. The color of the Wonka bars in Tokyo, The towering smoke stacks of the factory in the distance, the airbrushed skin of the little brats. All part of a fantasy world.

As much as I loved the look and feel of this fantastic fairy tale, the story could not hold the same wonder and astonishment. It starts off great. We're given a detailed back history of the factory, and general legendary rumors of Willy Wonka, all provided by Grandpa Joe via flashback. Done extremely well. It really gets you into the story. Although they blew the reveal of Wonka. Hiding him behind candy and huge goggles was a great idea so that later him when he meets the children, we could meet the man behind it all face to face for the first time. But in the flashback you still get a pretty good look at him. There was some potential for suspense that could have unraveled better.

The Children are one by one introduced, and they're all great. I even prefer most of them to their 1971 counter parts. Making Mike TV a real savvy technorat was brilliant. And at the same time we get a great understanding of Charlie Bucket and his family. Their introduction plays out a lot like the original but with more attention to everyone. Not just Charlie and Grandpa Joe. I was thrilled by that. I always thought that the George's got the shaft in the first one. And in this one it looked like it was going to be the same. Grandpa George was a real hard ass, and Grandma Georgina was... well, "not all there". But as much as Joe and Josephine are the A grandparents, George and Georgina get two great moments that end up being pivotal for the progress of the story. It was a proud day for the Georges of the world.

Everything up until the Chocolate factory is genuine entertainment. And suddenly it looks like it will turn bad. There's a terrible song that introduces Willy Wonka. *shudder* The Willy Wonka theme. It's horrible, and awkward and it took me right out of the movie. Thankfully it recovers as soon as they actually get inside the factory.

At this point things change. And it's not as if the story or visuals are less entertaining, but it quickly becomes the Wonka show. All the visitors blend into the background. Everyone disappears. First figuratively and then literally. We all know the kids get "knocked out" of the tour one by one, but even before that - as characters in the story they just vanish. Even Charlie and Grandpa Joe. Every scene could have taken place without them. There's no presence. It's all about Depp's Wonka, and the army of Oompa Loompa's.

Speaking of which, the back story on the Oompa loompa's is outstanding. Some may complain that having a mystery about their origins made them even more unique. Forget that, I loved how they explained them coming to the factory, and kept a great deal of mystery at the same time.

As a friend pointed out on the Pimp boards, it all comes down to the Wonkas. Was one better or worse then the other? Well, I love Gene Wilder and I thought his portrayal was pretty damn amazing. And as much as I expected to hate Depp's take on it (based on trailers and commercials) he was pretty good too. They're different characters though.

Wilder was a man with the heart of a child. He loved to live life and enjoy simple things like candy, but he could still function and operate as an adult. Everything he does in the original is a test. A calculated examination of choosing a successor. Depp is doing the same, but in a much more innocent way. There are no tests. It was more like "Hey, let's invite a bunch of kids up here, and see what the heck happens! Whose with me!?" He was just having a good time.

Because of that part of the charm and charisma disappears as you realize this guys not just a little kooky, he may be certifiably insane.

So the objective of the film changes. It's still about how you shouldn't be a spoiled brat, or a glutton, or a TV junkie. You should be a good kid. But more. The fizzy lifting drink, the everlasting gobbstopper, Slugworth. All are touched upon in the sequel, but don't hold the same resonance in the plot of the remake. Instead it focuses on the importance of family.

Ok, I'll wait until you're done rolling your eyes. Ok. It's not bad. You'll miss certain aspects of the originals ending, but appreciate the bigger lesson and how the weave it all together. Even with Wonka. Like the Oompa Loompa's we actually get a little back story. Not necessary, but it does two things. It helps you understand where he's coming from as a maniac candyman, and it grounds him in reality. He's not just an imaginary figure. He's not a contact high you got from buttered popcorn (I'm not sure if that would actually work, but someone should look into it). He's not just a recluse that went crazy and barred off society for no reason. He had reasons, and they're indicated in a not so obvious, charming way.

It's a good looking movie with nice elements, that sort of looses control of the big picture in the middle. Violet's transformation and Veruca's squirrel attack may be a little intense for the kiddies. Some might miss the musical element of the original, but the Oompa Loompa numbers (sung by Danny Elfman!) will fill the void nicely. With everything considered, it's enjoyable and fun. Plus it's filled with nice little laughs throughout. Mike TV's mumbling... Wonka's flashbacks... HILARIOUSE! I was eating that stuff up! 7 out of 10 I won't say if I like it better then the original, but this is certainly not a bad movie.

DVD worthy?: I'm leaning towards yes. But I would have to be influenced by the extras and the price tag. It's not an automatic DVD must have.

If you liked this movie check out : The original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Honestly it's such a great movie. And it's been so long since you've seen it. How long has it been?

Trailer Hitch: Corpse Bride

Ok, I wasn't really feeling this before seeing the trailer. I wasn't in love with The Nightmare before Christmas but to be fair I didn't see it when I was 14 and goth. I was 16 and bitter goth. All we did was watch the Crow.

But they've put together a decent trailer. An interesting idea where a cold footed groom accidentally marries a corpse. Where it goes from there, one can only guess. My guess is he ends up falling for her. Maybe he dies and joins her as a corpse. Coming fall 2008 the corpse Groom! Meh. I'll most likely check it out. I saw Rebound didn't I?