Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

Director:

Tim Burton

Writers (WGA):

Roald Dahl (book)
John August (screenplay)

Release Date:

15 July 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

Oompa-Loompas are crazy for Coco-Beans

Plot:

A young boy wins a tour through the most magnificent chocolate factory in the world, led by the world's most unusual candy maker.

Plot Keywords:

Chocolate | Factory | Ticket | Chocolate Factory | Candy

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 9 wins & 31 nominations

Cast

Johnny Depp	...	Willy Wonka
Freddie Highmore	...	Charlie Bucket
David Kelly	...	Grandpa Joe
Helena Bonham Carter	...	Mrs. Bucket
Noah Taylor	...	Mr. Bucket
Missi Pyle	...	Mrs. Beauregarde
James Fox	...	Mr. Salt
Deep Roy	...	Oompa Loompa
Christopher Lee	...	Dr. Wonka
Adam Godley	...	Mr. Teavee
Franziska Troegner	...	Mrs. Gloop
AnnaSophia Robb	...	Violet Beauregarde (as Annasophia Robb)
Julia Winter	...	Veruca Salt
Jordan Fry	...	Mike Teavee
Philip Wiegratz	...	Augustus Gloop

Also Known As:

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The IMAX Experience (USA) (IMAX version)

MPAA:

Rated PG for quirky situations, action and mild language.

Runtime:

115 min

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS-ES | Dolby Digital EX | SDDS | Sonics-DDP (IMAX version)

Certification:

Finland:K-7 | USA:PG (certificate #41837) | Spain:T | Taiwan:GP | Iceland:L | Sweden:Btl | Belgium:KT | Malaysia:U | Denmark:7 | Canada:G | Switzerland:8 (canton of Zurich) | Germany:6 (bw) | South Korea:All | Germany:o.Al. (f) | Netherlands:6 | Australia:PG | UK:PG | Ireland:PG | Canada:G (British Columbia) | Brazil:Livre | Czech Republic:12 | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Singapore:PG | Mexico:A | Philippines:G | Peru:PT | Norway:7 | Argentina:Atp | Hong Kong:I | Portugal:M/6

Filming Locations:

Albert R. Broccoli 007 Stage, Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

During the Wonka Boat scene, one of the glowing signs on the round doors reads "Beetle Juicing", a reference to Tim Burton's 1988 film "Beetle Juice".

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Mike Teavee pushes the "Television Room" button in the elevator, the elevator continues downward and then takes a sharp turn to the right. However, the actors lean toward the right (toward the direction the elevator moves), rather than moving to the left as one would as a reaction to the movement.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Narrator: This is a story of an ordinary little boy named Charlie Bucket. He was not faster, or stronger, or more clever than other children. His family was not rich or powerful or well-connected; in fact, they barely had enough to eat. Charlie Bucket was the luckiest boy in the entire world. He just didn't know it yet.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 63rd Annual Golden Globe Awards (2006) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Wonka's Welcome Song

Failed, to my disappointment

After reading a glowing review in Entertainment Weekly for this movie I eagerly rented it and settled in for a cozy movie night. What I got was a head-scratching film that left me with a distinctly sour taste in my mouth. The original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is one of my personal favorites. I was well aware that this would be a far cry from that version. This version is decidedly more faithful to the book but I feel it reflects more of Tim Burton's need to be kooky than it does of capturing the sugary irresistibility of the book. The movie, simply put, is not simple enough. Granted, the book is often maniacal and bizarre but too much emphasis is placed here on the look. The actors seem, to me, to be wandering aimlessly among the sets, seeing them but not feeling them. The children fail to provide a new and interesting interpretation on the characters, instead becoming blah clones of the feisty five-some in the original. In fact, you would think their parents dragged them to the set every morning against their will. Their "parents" fare no better. How anyone could possibly laud these performances compared to the 1971 original is beyond me. Depp's Wonka is passable but far too creepy to be endearing. He has his moments though. The music is, sadly, another weakness of the movie. It is simply too jarring and techno-modern for this version, even if it is a contemporary remake. There are a few bright spots here and there. The visuals are gorgeous and I was delighted to see the more accurate portrayal of the boat (a viking ship instead of a strange floating surrey thing). Deep Roy (how can I get a name like that?) does an admirable job as all the Oompa-Loompas. Not one of them looks exactly alike. I wasn't too fond of the character design though. Overall, not the best of Burton. See this one for a quick trip but see the original to be truly transported.