Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

What you need to understand when going to see one of the most entertaining and dazzling movies of the summer is that "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" is NOT a remake, or an attempt to remake, "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory". At the same time, if that thought is what is holding you back from seeing it, get over it and check out this tasty treat.

Ironically, where "Willy" is really about Charlie, here "Charlie" dwells more on Willy. Director Tim Burton relies on the amazing Johnny Depp to pull off the role of the eccentric genius candy maker who invites five children to visit his chocolate factory. Not surprisingly, Depp is magic in conveying wit, wisdom, and whimsy as Willy Wonka. Supporting him through the journey is a set of solid child actors, anchored by Freddie Highmore as Charlie, along with an odd assortment of adult chaperones. And yes, there are Oompa Loompas, this time all played by one man (Deep Roy) and then duplicated with technical wizardry. While the songs are certainly different, with more of a 1970s psychedelic disco tone, every scene is entertaining.

With the storyline based on the classic book by Roald Dahl, most elements in "Charlie" are very familiar to those who have seen "Willy". There is an odd backstory revealing bits of Wonka's childhood and how he came to love candy because of his father's (Christopher Lee) hatred for it, but the segments are brief and don't slow the story down.

Depp and Highmore once again (see "Finding Neverland") play well off one another, and the other actors step up to the bar they set. The scenery is amazing and offbeat, and again kudos to the special effects gurus that manage to duplicate the Oompa Loompas. Depp, in particular, maintains such a level of energy, with a certain level of naivete that suggests he knows exactly what's going on, that you forget that he really is Johnny Depp.

This is a movie that kids and adults can enjoy, and take pleasure in on a variety of levels. "Charlie" may turn out to be the one movie all summer that lives up to high expectations. I give it an A.

"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" is rated PG with a running time of two hours.