| The
Review: |
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
is the second time Tim Burton approaches Roald Dahl's creations,
but it is his first time as a director. Despite being the
first time, as a director, there is something strikingly similar
between Burton and Dahl if one looks away from the fact that
one is a filmmaker and the other an author, and it is their
unique way of telling a tale. Dahl's many stories are mysterious,
clever, and have valuable lessons, as do Burton's films. Both
storytellers convey moral lessons for any individual regardless
of age, gender, and ethnicity. This time Burton directs Charlie
and the Chocolate Factory with the full approval of Felicity,
Dahl's widow, and he captures the same puzzling world that
Dahl once created through a grand adventure containing sweets
and moral lessons. ***
Freddie Highmore plays the main
character, Charlie Bucket, a boy from a poverty stricken family
where the parents nurture all four bedridden grandparents.
Charlie is polite, honorable, and noble, qualities that he
most likely has acquired from his loving parents and guiding
grandparents. Nothing seems to touch the family, as they always
see the glass as half full. The Bucket family recognizes that
money, possessions, and power do not grant them happiness.
The only thing that makes them truly happy is the love that
they have for each other. It is announced to the world that
Willy Wonka, the refined and enigmatic chocolatier, will invite
five children that find five golden tickets to his factory.
These golden tickets can be found in his chocolate bars and
they will provide entrance to his secretive chocolate factory
to which no human has entered for years. When Charlie hears
about this he cannot help but dream of entering the factory
up the street, and his birthday is just around the corner,
which means that he will get a Wonka chocolate bar. ***
In the meantime, Charlie and the
folks in the small and raggedy Bucket residence will learn
about who and how others have gained access to Wonka's chocolate
factory. Each of the lucky ticket winners brings up different
notions of disrespectfulness, which further seems to stem
from the seven deadly sins: pride, envy, gluttony, lust, anger,
greed, and sloth. These children are obvious in their character,
as they might overtly express two or three of the deadly sins.
However, a younger audience will most likely not recognize
the seven deadly sins, but it is nonetheless clear that these
ticket winners are rude and have very bad manners. The film
even goes as far as openly suggesting the source, poor parenting.
***
After an extensive introduction
of the other characters, which is essential, as the film deals
with what is right and wrong in the light of the consequences
of being good, or bad, comes the biggest surprise, or maybe
not as Charlie discovers the fifth and final ticket. Together
with Grandpa Joe (David Kelly) Charlie gladly leads into the
legendary chocolate factory, as the other four children walk
ahead of their parents into an adventure that will separate
the good from the bad. It is here, a good chunk into the film,
where Willy Wonka (Johnny Depp) appears for the first time.
***
Willy Wonka displays an overtly
bizarre appearance with a large white smile and eccentric
mannerisms that continue throughout the film. Depp does an
extraordinary job in bringing out an aloof and awkward character
that frequently seems to drift off to some unknown time and
place while standing among his newly arrived guests. Those
viewers who have seen Depp in other films will not identify
this character from any of his previous performances. It is
also clear that Burton and Depp have a special relationship,
as this is their fourth film and soon the public can see their
fifth upcoming puppet film, Corpse Bride (2005). Depp simply
elevates the story far beyond mediocrity into the bizarre
fantasy world where Burton seems to be most comfortable where
the audience can relinquish it's thoughts completely to the
filmmakers performances and storytelling. ***
In 1971 Mel Stuart made Willy Wonka
& the Chocolate Factory based on the same book, which for
many has gained a status close to immortality in the world
of cinema history. Despite the notion of remaking an already
good film, Burton forcefully delivers his version of the story
with the help of a tremendous cast and spectacular cinematography
that delivers a fantastic tale. The film succeeds in reaching
the level of the previous film from 1971 and with ease passes
the former film based on Dahl's story of Charlie and the Chocolate
Factory. This film should certainly gain a nod in the Oscars
for the best writing and screenplay based on material previously
produced or published. Burton's film grasps the issues in
an easily understandable manner which can be understood by
both young and old, which does not leave anyone behind. Yet,
Burton leaves a little extra for the adult audience to ponder
while also considering the youth by offering them several
thoughtful lessons. In the end, Burton's film delivers a tale
that Dahl would have approved of, as it has all the genuine
tangibles of both storytellers. *** ---
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