Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Yesterday, Vicky, her brother, their nieces, and I went to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Regal Cinemas in Sterling, VA.

While Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971, starring Gene Wilder) is a classic, I have to say that Vicky and I enjoyed Tim Burton's retelling over the 1971 original. John August, who also wrote Big Fish, approaches both the story and characters with much more depth than the original with Mel Stuart. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has the incredible visuals, use of flashbacks and story, and warm characters similar to what audiences enjoyed with Big Fish.

Vicky and I would recommend this to others who enjoyed Big Fish or people who'd like to see a better retelling than the original Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Whatever assumptions people make on the weird previews or Johnny Depp's character, they're in for a pleasant surprise. It all makes sense and gets explained during the movie.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory gets 9 out of 10 stars from Vicky & I. It should certainly get an Oscar nod or three for Best Visuals, Best Actor (Freddy Highmore), and Best Supporting Actor (David Kelly).
Ken Foreman 6:25 AM