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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

I have heard many of my friends tell me they are afraid to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory because they love the original (Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory) and don't want that cherished childhood memory sullied by a bad remake. I can relate and sympathize, so the fear does bring up a good point. If you are going to remake a beloved film or movie character, you better do something new and interesting, while also getting it right, or you will be hated for generations (just ask Joel "Batman Forever" Schumacher). Director Tim Burton does all of that and more as he catapults Willy Wonka, Charlie, Veruca Salt, the Oompa Loompas and all of your other favorite characters into the 21st century with a comical, dark tale of covetousness, gluttony, and envy with some love thrown in.

Based on the novel by Roald Dahl, Freddie Highmore stars as Charlie - the nicest, sweetest kid in the world who happens to live in a rundown shack of a house down the street from the world famous Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory. The family is so poor, they eat cabbage soup for dinner each night, and little Charlie only gets one Willy Wonka chocolate bar a year, but he dreams of seeing the inside of the factory someday. Charlie's grandfather, Joe (David Kelly), even used to work for Willy Wonka until spies stole all of the chocolatier's secret recipes, forcing Willy to shutdown the factory, lay off his employees and become a recluse. Years later, he quietly reopened the factory, but Charlie never sees any new workers entering or exiting, which only heightens the mystery surrounding the operation and the man. Now, Willy Wonka has offered the world an amazing opportunity.

Mr. Wonka has hidden five golden tickets in candy bars shipped all over the world, but can little Charlie find one of them so he can embark on the adventure of a lifetime? What awaits those who enter Willy Wonka's chocolate factory?

While Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory was always more sinister than most want to admit, I was very excited to have an opportunity to watch Tim Burton put his personal, amazing, more devious touch on this story, especially with all of the advances in special effects and art direction at his disposal. Thankfully, Burton has created a psychedelic, off-beat, dark comedy combined with a heartfelt tale about one little boy who continues to hope and dream even though he has been given plenty of reasons by society to give it up, and another who has become cynical and slightly mad as he deals with childhood tragedy and lifelong betrayal. It's equal parts trippy visuals, energetic music, morality tale and heart-warmer all at the same time. Even more, Burton and Depp give us a new take on central character Willy Wonka, complete with flashbacks to his past, which help explain how this man became who he is today.

Burton (director of one of my favorite movies of all time, Big Fish) delivers a visually stunning and exciting film with the wackiest factory in the history of filmmaking (Wayne Industries has nothing on Wonka Corp). Doing what he does best, the mad scientist-looking director invites the audience to enter another world wilder than they could ever imagine, even if you tripping on a sugar rush. He shows us the stark differences between the cold, dark, boring Victorian world outside and the exciting, bright, magical world inside Willy's factory, setting up a wonderful contrast between reality and fantasy. Then, Burton makes us realize this dream world full of candy and happiness also harbors something more sinister (like childhood itself). Rules must be followed, or else, and the threat of danger makes the movie more interesting as we wait for something big to happen. The bright visuals, imaginative sets, anticipation and intrigue keeps you riveted to the screen.

John August gives us a very basic story without many subplots, but plenty of character examination and great dialogue. Each character meets his or her downfall due to the character flaw on display, along with a disobedience of the rules, while Willy Wonka expresses his sadistic satisfaction at their pain. Also, we learn more about Willy's personal demons and what drove him into the candy business in the first place, which rounds out our view of the iconic character. It's not a shocking explanation, but one that is believable and fitting, so we are willing to play along (especially with a great appearance from Christopher Lee). However, our writer's most important accomplishment is creating dialogue that doesn't pander to children.

August, surely with plenty of influence from Burton, Depp and Dahl's book, allows Wonka to be dismissive and distrustful of the children in the film. We don't see all of the kids as lovable cherubic treasures, but as rotten little brats who deserve some comeuppance. Veruca, Augustus, Violet and Mike are sassy, mean, conniving and disobedient. With all of this on full display, August helps make us like our pure of heart hero, Charlie, even more.

Highmore is another reason to love Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He gives Dakota Fanning a run for her money as best child actor working today as he fills Charlie with honest goodness and soul. You ache as he bravely accepts and deals with his family's poverty, and see rare childhood wonder in his eyes as he dreams about the chocolate factory or eats his only chocolate bar for the year as if it was gold (maybe even better than gold). Highmore builds the tension as he slowly, delicately and carefully opens that chocolate bar to look for the golden ticket. Then, we share in his disappointment or elation each time a major event affects his life. Of course, we are all going to see this movie for Johnny Depp.

Depp has made Willy Wonka into the creepiest, wackiest, most sadistic tour guide in the history of the world (yet, women still think he's hot!). It's as if Michael Jackson took you on a tour of Neverland, and you're looking for a side door to sneak out in case he finally snaps. It has been a funny joke to say Depp is channeling Michael Jackson to play the part of an eccentric, slightly creepy, immature millionaire locked up in his personal castle far from the adoring eyes of those who don't truly understand him, but that isn't fair to Willy Wonka, who rather dislikes children instead of loving them, or Depp, who brilliantly creates a thoroughly wacky, sadistic, captivating and hilarious character about 1 zillion times more interesting than the "King of Pop." He makes Willy into a madman who doesn't appear to be very imposing or threatening, but he is CREEPY. Depp is magnificent and mesmerizing as he creates a character beyond anything you have seen before without becoming inappropriately silly or campy.

If you think you know how it will end because you saw Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, you'll be surprised as Burton and August present a new ending much more appropriate for this movie. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is rated PG, but it's not for small kids. While full of vibrant colors and dreamlike sets, the film is full of quirky situations and an evil streak those under 8 or 9 years old might not understand.

4 Waffles (Out Of 4)

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