Charlie & The Chocolate Factory Review

At last a remake that improves on the original.

Charlie Bucket (Freddie Highmore) lives in a dilapidated shack with his parents, played by Helena Bonham Carter and Noah Taylor, and both sets of grandparents including David Kelly's live-wire Grandpa Joe. Charlie is one of five lucky children to win a gold ticket to tour the mysterious chocolate factory. Their host is Willy Wonka - Johnny Depp - confectionary genius and certifiable weirdo. This is a superb reworking of Willy Wonka. Director Tim Burton's vision does Roald Dahl justice in serving up the ultimate in eye candy. I laughed myself silly at Deep Roy who played all the Oompa Loompa's through the magic of CGI, and constantly referenced by-gone cinema in his musical dance numbers. Johnny Depp casts a delightfully eccentric and at times creepy Willy Wonka, but it's Freddie Highmore's wide eyed innocent Charlie, who steals the show. At last a remake that improves on the original.