DVD | Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

I’ve never read the book, so all I know of the story is from the 1971 original, which apparently met with extreme disapproval from Roald Dahl.
Right from the start, when the collaboration of Tim Burton and Johnny Depp was announced, I was happy. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was a quirky, bizarre movie, and seemed very suited to the Burton/Depp touch.

I’m happy to announce, imho, they’ve managed to pull it off. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is an amazing treat. Not only visually stunning, but Burton has changed the storyline considerably, and has made for a much more complete, and satisfying movie.

If you don’t know the story, shame on you, I’m not going into it here. Depp again pulls off a convincing, quirky and completely oddball character with ease, and it totally suits Burton’s rendition of the story. It seems more serious in some parts, but doesn’t miss out on the whimsical.

Let your imagination run wild, forget any love you had for the original and enjoy this modern rendition.

Spiritual Connections
It’s not hard to notice that this movie has something to say. Primarily about the hazards of indulgent excess, Burton's Chocolate Factory also puts family unity front and centre. When Charlie is offered control of the Chocolate Factory it comes with a price tag – he must leave his family behind. Charlie chooses to stay with his family and turn down Wonka’s amazing offer. It’s a trait that Charlie has shown throughout the movie, for a boy he has an amazing grasp on self sacrifice and looking out for others, and he gets rewarded plenty for his sacrifice in the end. Not only that but through his actions Charlie helps Willy come to terms with a past he has been suppressing all his adult life.