Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

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Michael

Much better than the 70's adaptation, though that's not hard. What makes it stands out is Burton's dark interpretation: Wonka is a strange, disturbing figure eerily reminiscent of Michael Jackson; his chocolate factory a surreal dream populated by hundreds of clones.

In many ways it feels like a reading of the Charlie books, rather than an adaptation of them. Wonka is the kind of strange creature that might truly result from spending twenty years with no company but singing midgets. Some of the characters' comments speak to the implausibility of the science. The accidents with the Great Glass Elevator illustrate the impracticality of transparent transport.

It's gorgeous to look at, but beyond the presentation there's not much to see. Worth watching once.

- Sam - 2006-01-30 14:00:31