Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005, USA) C-115m. *** D: Tim Burton. Starring Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, David Kelly, Helena Bonham Carter, Noah Taylor, Missi Pyle, James Fox, Deep Roy, Christopher Lee, narrated by Geoffrey Holder. Typically outré Burton outing, this adaptation of Roald Dahl's satirical fantasy story is good, not great. Poor Charlie Bucket would love nothing more than to find a Golden Ticket, which would take him to eccentric hermite Willy Wonka and his amazing chocolate factory that five children are allowed to visit. Visually impressive, with indelible designs and ideas, though some of the set-pieces (and especially the songs) push the story too much into the background sometimes. Photographed by Philippe Rousselot, score and songs by Danny Elfman. Filmed before in 1971 as WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY.


BUY THIS MOVIE AT AMAZON

© Ron Altman