Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
A Film Review By Clyde Ayles
YUMMY
Director TIM BURTON and actor JOHNNY DEPP have teamed up again. They gave us "Edward Scissorhands", "Sleepy Hollow, and "Ed Wood". Great films, everyone. Now they tackle a remake of 1971's "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" that starred Gene Wilder. This version is darker and, some say, closer to the book. I can't say, I never read the book. But I can tell you this; this is a very well done film. The story centers on young Charlie Bucket (FREDDIE HIGHMORE, little Peter from "Finding Neverland? Who lives with both sets ot grandparents and mom and dad. The house they line in looks like it was caught in a wind storm. The family is so poor that little Charlie gets a candy bar once a year, on his birthday. Also in this little town there is a candy factory owned by Willy Wonka, a mysterious figure who is never seen. We are told that Charlie's grandfather Joe use to work at the factory many years ago, but were let go along with the other workers after Wonka closed the place down when spies stole his secrets of candy making. Well, now it is back in operation producing chocolate bars once more. To celebrate, the candy maker has included five gold tickets in five candy bars that are shipped to different parts of the world. If a lucky child gets one of these tickets, he or she will be taken on a tour of the factory. After four tickets are found, guess what? Our Charlie finds the fifth. Each child is allowed to bring one adult with them. Charlie brings Grandpa Joe. The other kids include a spoiled brat named Veruca (JULIA WINTER), a perfectionist named Violet (ANNASOPHIA ROBB, from Winn Dixie), a video game nut named Mike (JORDAN FRY) and Augustus (PHILIP WIEGRATZ) a gluton who likes to eat like a pig. The kids learn who has been making all the candy, they are the Oompa Loompas, little people who were discovered in a little village by Willy. There are many of them, but all played by one man, DEEP ROY, and made to look like more by way of C.G.I. The children meet gruesome fates, all in the nature of their faults. That is all except Charlie, who is declared the winner. The prize, taking ownership of the factory. The story warns us of greed and tells us of the power of family. Everyone plays their part well. HELENA BONHAM CARTER is mom, NOAH TAYLOR is dad, and DAVID KELLY is Grandpa Joe. The effects are top notch and the kids are great. I had just one small problem with Johnny Depp, who is one of my favorite actors. His part wasn't much. He looked like he was on the outside looking in. He was mostly reactions. What a waste.. Still I am giving the movie four stars. It was pure magic. SEE YA AT THE MOVIES CLYDE
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© 2005 Clyde Ayles
