Fridae

Can anyone imagine a gayer marriage between the talents of Roald
Dahl and Tim Burton? I don't think so, as this film will attest
(discounting Pierre et Gilles perhaps). Charlie and the Chocolate
Factory is Tim Burton's latest joyride through the fantastical.
Loud, colourful, even campy, the adjectives just keep on flowing
like a river of chocolate.

Charlie Bucket lives near the giant and mystical Willy Wonka's
Chocolate Factory, where Charlie's Grandpa Joe once worked. Then
one day, the mysterious and reclusive owner decided to hold open
his gates to five special persons who are lucky enough to get hold
of the golden tickets hidden in five Willy Wonka's chocolate bars
throughout the world.

In the masterful direction of Burton, audience would be thrilled
by the excitement of adventures that ensues when people desperately
scour for the tickets. Miles better than the first screen incarnation
(way back in 1971), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is
very faithful to the original text.

Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka is completely enthralling, though he
does come across as a chilling confectionary of Michael Jackson's
grin and make-up from the days of Edward Scissorhands.
Slightly demetic at times and potentially psychotic, it is not certain
as to how well kids will take to him: a figure right out of a Nightmare
Before Christmas, or from some Technicolour Dreamcoat.

The rest of the cast adds wonderful support like icings on the
cake, and the special effects and amazing sets does bring the novel
to life in the best way possible. Anyone who's read the book would
find that Tim Burton has done a pretty good job.

Watch it! It's a real treat!