Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Tim Burton, who has never had a problem touching other people’s creations (Batman, Planet of the Apes) re-makes Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with a big budget and his characteristically quirky touch. Johnny Depp occupies the role played by Gene Wilder in the original, and his Wonka creation is a demented delight. Soft-spoken, eccentric, and just a little sadistic at times, Depp makes for an all-original Wonka, not a rehash of Wilder’s infamous work. Burton takes the land of Roald Dahl’s book as a nice opportunity to pull off some of his better visuals since Edward Scissorhands, and longtime compatriot Danny Elfman provides a fun score. The Ooompa Loompas are all played by one man (Deep Roy) who is digitally recreated more than 100 times. Freddie Highmore, one of the great young actors working today, is perfection as the kindhearted Charlie. A great family film, and yet another terrific performance from the amazing Depp.