Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Let me start with a disclaimer: I have never seen more than 5 minutes of the Gene Wilder-starring Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I have never read any of Roald Dahl’s books about Charlie or Willy. I do love Dahl, however, and have read most of his other books, and seen most of the other movies based on his work. That being said, I absolutely was bored to death with Tim Burton’s “re-imagining” of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

It’s silly to say a director has a “visual” style given the medium of film, but Tim Burton’s directorial style is just that. Always focusing heavily on vibrant sets and props, Burton’s films never lack for imagination in their shapes and colors. But even a wild, cartoon-like setting like the Wonka Chocolate Factory can’t save this movie. Nor, sadly, can the outstanding performances from the young Freddie Highmore (as the titular Charlie Bucket) and the old David Kelly (as Grandpa Bucket).

Johnny Depp, in makeup and voice, somewhat resembles Michael Jackson. A fear of the outside world plays to that characterization as well, but that’s where the similarities end. Depp’s Wonka is quite fearful of everyone, a control freak, and severely disillusioned by what he believed to be a lack of love from his father (played by the ancient wonder Christopher Lee). It’s clear while watching that this subplot was not part of the book, and in truth it does little to add to the story.

Yet that character motivation, though unnecessary, drives the majority of the film, which in essence, is a parable about the importance of family and good-heartedness. Now, I know that Dahl was never one to miss out on a chance to deliver a message, but he always did it with such menacing glee. Dahl’s characters always had a dark edge, and both Depp’s performance and the tone set by Burton strip that away here.

What’s left is a movie with a few minor chuckles and a few gee-whiz moments of fancy. In many ways, the more interesting parts of the movie lie outside the factory, with the Bucket family. Living in a shack with slanted doors and a roof with a gaping hole over Charlie’s room, the Bucket house is one filled with two sets of grandparents who never leave their shared bed and two poor parents. But every one of them gives Charlie love and inspiration. It’s all a bit too saccharine, though, and if I want to get my sweets from Wonka, I’d much rather stuff my face gobstoppers and candy bars than see this movie again.

Grade: C