Candy, mischief, and mayhem are some of the surprises that await audiences in this new version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. From the mind of Roald Dahl and the colorful Director Tim Burton comes an exciting new look at the story of Willy Wonka and his Chocolate Factory.
There were many changes from the original that helped to develop the story further. Burton focuses more on creating the film that followed more closely to Roald Dahl's book that delights children still to this day. Burton follows in his usual casting call with Johnny Depp playing the inventive and somewhat odd character of Willy Wonka. For the part of Charlie Bucket, newcomer Freddie Highmore is brought in to act beside Depp just like in their film, Finding Neverland.
Along with the change in the different actors added to create the world of child fantasy, there are new and colorful sets that come straight from Willy Wonka's imagination. This color contrast is a change for Burton who normal brings a dark image to the screen with such films as Nightmare Before Christmas and his upcoming film, Corpse Bride.
Charlie Bucket (Highmore) is a poor boy living in an overcrowded shack, and growing up daydreaming about the wonderful stories that his Grandpa Joe (David Kelly) tells him about Willy Wonka and his chocolate factory. Grandpa Joe explains to Charlie that Willy Wonka is the greatest candy inventor in the world and when his factory was open it was the most wonderful place. Grandpa Joe once worked for Willy Wonka, until one day, fed up with spies stealing his candy ideas, Willy Wonka closes his factory and lets all of the employees go. The factory remains quiet until one day. Smoke begins to come from the factory's chimneys and it begins to make candy again. This is hard to explain since no one ever enters the factory to work, and the only things that come out are the delivery trucks that are taking out the candy.
After Willy Wonka begins to unexplainably make candy again, an announcement goes throughout the world that Willy Wonka will be opening his factory to five lucky children who find his golden tickets that are placed under the wrapping of his chocolate bars. The news takes people by surprise and puts many into a frenzy to get a chance at going inside Wonka's wonderful chocolate factory. Augustus Gloop (Philip Wiegratz) is the first lucky child to find a golden ticket. Shortly after that, Violet Beauregarde (Annasophia Robb), Veruca Salt (Julia Winter), and Mike Teavee (Jordon Fry) follow in finding golden tickets. This means that with only one ticket left, the race is on to find it. One day Charlie unexpectedly comes across some money on the ground and decides to use it to buy a Wonka Bar. To his surprise, and that of everyone else around, the candy bar contained the last golden ticket to Wonka's factory.
With the five golden tickets found, the adventure into Wonka's world finally begins. Willy Wonka has created his entire factory, and all of his candy, from his childlike imagination and love for candy. Charlie is the only child that really understands Wonka's love for candy and, one by one, the children begin to get themselves into all sorts of trouble during their tour.
I really was uncertain what to expect going into Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. You never know what you're going to get from Burton. To my delight, I thought the film was put together nicely and even offered a new light to the story.
Although, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory seems like a children's film, it is enjoyable for adults and kids alike. I give Charlie and the Chocolate Factory three and a half out of five pitchforks.
Reach the reporter at brian.kirshman@asu.edu.
