Depp Wows as Willy Wonka
Jennifer Moore, staff writer

Depp Wows Audience in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”

This isn’t your daddy's chocolate factory! In "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," Tim Burton recreates Roald Dahl's children's classic using a sensational cast and the movie magic only Burton can provide.

The story originally appeared on the big screen in 1971 under the name "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." Gene Wilder played the title role in the movie and gave a performance that brought the viewer into the world of Oompa-Loompa workers and a chocolate factory where one's wildest dreams could come true. Burton's film carries with it the same flavor.

Johnny Depp plays Willy Wonka, the owner of the fabled factory.  Depp amazes audiences once again with a performance that brings his own personality to the character, while at the same time portraying Wonka’s eccentricity and mystery flawlessly.  He shows that Wonka is more than an icon and that there is a definite method to his madness.

Freddie Highmore stars opposite Depp as Charlie Bucket, a boy from a very poor family who finds one of Wonka's golden tickets. Highmore, along with the other four children, seem to be perfect fits for the roles. Annasophia Robb plays fiercely competitive Violet Beauregarde, Julia Winter plays the very spoiled Veruca Salt, Jordan Fry plays Mike Teavee and Philip Wiegratz plays Augustus Gloop.

The Oompa-Loompas are all played by Deep Roy through modern special-effects technology. As in the 1971 version, the little men delight the audience with musical numbers, but they have been modernized to appeal to a new audience.

Burton favorite Helena Bonham Carter also stars in the movie as Charlie’s mother, and Noah Taylor plays his father.  Both give excellent performances that add levity to the family’s poverty.

The movie begins with a world-wide search for five golden tickets that are hidden in Wonka bars.  Charlie, of course, finds one, and is treated to a tour of the factory along with the other four children and their guardians: Grandpa Joe (David Kelly), Mrs. Beauregarde (Missi Pyle), Mr. Salt (James Fox), Mr. Teavee (Adam Godley) and Mrs. Gloop (Franziska Troegner). 

As the story progresses, each child falls victim to their own weaknesses and at each incident, Roy delights audiences with a musical moral.  During the entire time, there is mention of a grand prize that one of the children will receive.  With each child who is eliminated, the choices for the winner narrows. 

Burton goes much more in-depth in regard to Wonka’s background than the earlier movie did.  All the characters have a more modern feel than their 1971 counterparts, and the scenes have the seamless fanciful feel that is unmistakably Burtonesque.

The movie proves to be entertaining for adults and children alike.  The costuming is interesting, the special effects are well-done and the scenes flow smoothly. 

There is enough action in the storylines to keep audiences of all ages entertained throughout.

I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone.  I give it five out of five stars.