Bloodless Coup

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

I give it a big thumbs up. Some reviews, say Roger Ebert's or Film Threat's, are oddly obsessed with their irriation at Depp's performance as Wonka reminding them of Michael Jackson. Get over it guys. Wonka has always been a weirdo who likes innocent boys, and given that he's been living in a factory for years he's likely peculiar in other ways, and extremely pale. If Jackson is like that too ... well, it has nothing to do with whether or not this is a good movie, or a good adaptation of the story - and this film succeeds well on both of those counts. Wonka, Charlie and his whole family, really all the characters, are performed beautifully. The sets are dazzling (if also quite similar in style to various early Tim Burton works). The script is funny. All in all, there are many high points - almost too many to name. Are there low points? Well, it is hard to make out all the words in the songs. And there is one truly horrible aspect to this work - all that tiresome and ridiculous backstory about Wonka's childhood. I hated that with a blinding fury since it was unnecessary, slowed the film down tremendously, and prevented us from spending more time with the funny characters. But I'm willing to overlook it.

This film was brilliantly realized, inventive, and both Willy Wonka and Charlie Bucket (and Grandpa Joe) were played beautifully. It's worth your time.