Charlie & The Chocolate Factory [Blu-ray] [2005] [US Import]

Based on a Roald Dahl novel, however loosely, the story is still there. I think that if you watch the film as something separate to the book then this film would be vastly enjoyable. I think that it appeals to all ages, children love the bright colours and adults can appreciate the subtlety of Johnny Depp's performance.
Depp and Burton always have the ability to some together and create something wonderful, mesmerising and beautiful and this film is no different.
Throughout the film it is clear that Willy Wonka has some elements of Michael Jackson incorporated into his character, however it is also clear that these references are very much tongue in cheek and not designed to cause offence. I feel that Wonka's character has been interpreted in a very original way, and though it may not be true to the book it is certainly and enjoyable performance to watch.
For Burton fans there are the very Burton-esq qualities that we have come to expect with the massive contrast between the lighter and the darker moments of the film.
I give it 5 stars as a fan of both Johnny Depp and Tim Burton, and I encourage anyone to watch it.

I'm old enough to remember watching the original adaptation 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory' with Gene Wilder, as a wide eyed child, and so I wasn't expecting much from this film as I knew what to expect. However, I was pleasantly surprised with this film. It's the same story of Charlie and his golden ticket but told in a completely different way. Everything is 're-imagined' (a term familiar to Tim Burton) and Willy Wonka is not the willing showman of old, but instead an eccentric character with a squeaky voice, bobbed hair and a backstory of a stern dentist father.

There are plenty of jokes and funny moments to make you laugh and Johnny Depp is wonderful as Wonka. He's creepy yet innocent and totally watchable. The Oompa Loompas made me laugh and weren't as creepy or terrible as I'd been led to believe.

A nice movie and any child would enjoy it with the same wide eyed wonder that I'd enjoyed with the earlier film.

Charlie & the Chocolate Factory was one of my favourite books as a child. I liked the Gene Wilder version but agree with some other posters here it was a little 'nicey-nicey' so I was looking forward to Tim Burton/Johnny Depp's take on the story. The material seemed a perfect fit for them. Some elements of this film I liked very much: the Oompa Loompas (although I could not understand a word they said so the message was kind of lost, perhaps this was down to the cinema's sound system..), the cracking sets, the cinematography and the cast in general. HOWEVER.... as some other posters have pointed out - there was something a little 'off'... My main criticisms are around 1) the 'back story' which seemed very contrived and a bit pointless. Part of Wonka's appeal is his mysterious-ness, as if he were born under a gooseberry bush or something. Depp's catatonia as we go into his mind's eye - well basically it seemed very contrived and stopped the narrative in it's flow. It did not need to be there - or could have been done better. I liked Christopher Lee though. 2) Johnny Depp's Wonka. I liked parts of his performance - but he really did seem like a Michael Jackson clone and his mannerisms didn't seem natural, it was almost as if Johnny was showcasing his acting ability - oh look at mr 'range'! There was just something unappealing about him. Shame because generally I am a big fan.
Gene Wilder's Wonka , though not perfect, is more Wonka to me than Depp. I much preferred Wilder's simpler entrance than Depp's (clowns on fire just doesn't do it for me). Maybe combine the two and you would have the perfect screen Wonka? Still, gripes aside I mostly enjoyed this film, if only for its spectacle and because it's just a cracking story with old-fashioned values that we can all relate to - which is a comforting thought in our modern world.