John Savage
Good god how is this film given a rating above 6...It is beyond terrible.Are people really this tasteless?The musical acts sound like they've been pushed through a sound synthesizer by someone who hasn't got a clue what they're doing. The original musicals were pretty good, sung with appreciation and talent. Can't say the same here.Depp's performance, as bizarre as it is, is rather woeful. Reminds me too much of a Michael Jackson imitation and that's not what you want to be thinking about watching this film.The overall plot more or less follows the original in some ways, but really there's nothing to be gained from it. It wasn't ambitious enough, although the imagery was nice and splendid, it was sadly backed up by shoddy writing and direction.
DCfan
Although I have never watched Roald Dahl version of Charlie and the chocolate factory but I have read the book for that version. As for this movie it really lived up to Dahl's expectations the acting including David Kelly, Freddie Highmore and Johnny Depp were really good at doing there parts. Especially that cameo Christopher Lee had as Willy Wonka's dad/the dentist. This is a very fun movie to watch for both children and family. If you have not seen it yet I would definitely recommend it.
Darryl Jason
It's taken me 13 years to properly sit down & watch this remake. Having not really been a fan of Johnny Depp over the years, I have to say that this film really doesn't suit him. I don't think he was right for the role at all. But then again, who else would be perfect other than the original Gene Wilder. I've given this one a chance now & finally watched it (right now in 2018) & I just can't get over how bizarre Depp plays the role: creepy, wooden, sarcastically annoying to the children in the film. His laugh is horrendous & his head-bopping to the Oompa Loompas songs & dances. It's like he's at a concert & he's enjoying it more than the children. The child actors - I don't recognise one single one & can't say I've seen any of them in anything else. Since this movie was made in 2005 I don't think this film has given them any recognition since we're now in 2018 & you never see or hear of any of them. Whereas the 1971 classic is still there in people's hearts (including mine). The original movie with Gene Wilder still holds conventions around the world where the original actors (Peter Ostrum, Julie Dawn Cole) attend for photo signings but I have to say; just what recognition can one give this 2005 remake.
The children in this film also show no excitement - no emotion - no laughs or thrills considering they're in a chocolate factory. There's just no engagement & I have to agree with one of the other reviewers on here; watch for the scene when they're in the river boat tearing down at fast speed: the children make no noise of excitement, no screams, no joys. Nothing. I think the most impressive part of the movie is with the squirrels. I'll give this one credit cause it actually quite impressed me the effects of it. & I think it's trying to show you that squirrels can be quite scary (imagine approaching one yourself & it pouncing on you for attack!)Can't say I think much of the Oompa Loompas. Never really thought much of Deep Roy (who plays the duplicated Oompa Loompas).
I met him once at a convention here in the UK & the guy looked miserable as sin, he looked like he didn't want to be there. Most probably because there was nobody at his table wanting an autograph. I tried to say hello but he just barely said one word back. I'm not gonna say I dislike this movie nor did I enjoy it. I've just got no feeling to want to watch it again. But the original 1971 is always a classic and when it comes to a good egg, I'll be cracking open the dvd to the original anytime!
frankjones-84156
I've seen a number of Tim Burton movies, but this one was BY FAR the worst. Doesn't even relate to what happened in the book or the previous movie with Gene Wilder. Did Wonka have flashbacks of his childhood? No. Did he even talk to or about his father? No. Or were there any more ridiculous stories Charlie was told about? No. What a ridiculous movie! When I heard that Tim Burton was going to make this movie, I just knew it was going to fail miserably.