Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1575 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-11-21
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 110 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Director Tim Burton’s take on Roald Dahl’s classic story is undeniably more faithful to the source material than the 1975 musical retelling of the same story. His Charlie & The Chocolate Factory is also a slightly darker, visually inventive film, and is ultimately a tasty treat that the whole family can enjoy.

Filling the coat of Willy Wonka is frequent Burton collaborator Johnny Depp--the pair have previously worked together on the likes of Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood and Sleepy Hollow--and what fun he clearly had. His Wonka is a kooky, isolated figure, extremely distrusting and clearly uncomfortable around the children who win a golden ticket to look round his factory. Burton invests time in his main character, giving him a rounded back story that pays dividends, and while some will inevitably prefer Gene Wilder’s edgier take on the same role all those years ago, Depp nonetheless is on strong form. The cast around him also perform well, particularly Freddie Highmore in the title role.

The story is as you’ll likely remember it, with five children given the chance to visit Willy Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory. And what a visual treat that factory is, bursting with colour and vibrancy. Along the way, they encounter chocolate lakes, industrious squirrels and the infamous oompa loompas, and truthfully, it’s fun to be along for the ride.

Is it better than that aforementioned 1975 version? Actually, it’s just different. Each film will no doubt have its legion of fans, but the bottom line here is that Roald Dahl’s classic has provided the source for an enjoyable, well pitched movie with plenty of rewatch value. Now if only they’d go and film Charlie & The Great Glass Elevator…--Simon Brew

Synopsis
Who better to bring Roald Dahl's adored children's story to life than the mastermind behind inventive films like EDWARD SCISSORHANDS and BEETLEJUICE? From Tim Burton's opening shot against Danny Elfman's eerie score this CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY is recognisably darker than the Mel Stuart-directed 1971 version starring Gene Wilder. Though the mysterious chocolate factory has been closed for 15 years, it continues to produce and ship candy all over the world. When a contest promises a tour of the plant to the lucky finders of five golden tickets hidden inside wrappers, no one is more excited than Charlie Bucket, an impoverished boy whose family lives mere steps from the factory. Though he can barely afford even one candy bar, fate intervenes, and Charlie finds the last golden ticket. Joined at the gates by a group of despicable brats named Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregarde, Augustus Gloop, and Mike Teavee, Charlie and his Grandfather venture inside proprietor Willy Wonka's delightful factory for a wild adventure. Each room is a feast for the eyes, and more importantly the taste buds a sugar-coated dreamland where everything is edible. One by one, however, the children meet unfortunate fates, until only Charlie remains in the company of Wonka and his curiously small workers, the Oompa Loompas. Sporting a severe bob, and talking in a high-pitched voice, Depp makes his Wonka even weirder than Wilder's. While Burton adds some amusing contemporary touches (like the musical Oompa Loompa routines), and an elaborate back story, he also preserves the charm of the original book. Overall, Burton's visual innovation succeeds in capturing the vividness of a child's imagination but whether this version trumps the beloved '71 film is for viewers to decide.

Customer Reviews

Original Remake
I loved the original film. It was light and fun...great kids movie. I still love it. I found this movie just as good, but completely different. It has Tim Burtons trade mark darkness placed into it. And I feel more of Dahl's book is actually in it. This one does follow the book more closely, though this movie does add an extended ending, which does not exist in the text. But do not expect to see the same charming movie...it is not here.

Johnny Depp's take on the reclusive Willie Wonka was strange and interesting. I could see his character being a recluse. And he has the typical quirkiness of a true genius. Who, in this case puts his driven and strange intellect toward making chocolate.

Mr. Burton decided to make the tribe of Oompa-Loompas played by Deep Roy. Who does a great job considering everything that this placed on his shoulders. The lyrics from these songs come right out of the book. But I must admit I had a hard time hearing them with the music chosen. I would have liked to be able to discern the lyrics better. Other then that, I thought the movie is great. And I recommend both versions.

Good but not great
This is a very entertaining movie, but it was always going to be compared to the Gene Wilder version, Gene Wilder is Willy Wonka for me, but even saying that, I do own this film and I do like it.

Johnny Depp is good at turning his hand to anything he applies himself to. He makes a wacky, fun Willy Wonka. Christopher Lee is a delight as his dentist father. I love the trademark Tim Burton touches, as usual he and Depp make a great team.

Good family fun, although maybe not for the really little ones.

Jonny depp fans will love this....

Maybe because I'm in my 30s, I can't see far past Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka. It seemed more of a revelation - Wilder was opening our eyes to possibilities, to imagination - taking us into a wonderful world...where immoral uncouth behaviour is treated with disdain, and wholesome living is rewarded

The Burton version is highly polished, and is more of a spectacle although to me seems a little like a vehicle for jonny depp - only because he is the films stand-out feature. Hilarious, dramatic and camp.

My son (5 years old) prefers this version to the original. I still laugh out loud every time depp walks into the elevator door. It is touching in parts and probably closer to the essence of Roald Dahl's book.

The two films are different enough to warrant having both in your collection. If I had to choose which one to get, I guess I would go for the Burton/Depp version. The Gene Wilder thing - that's just nostalgia