Charlie & The Chocolate Factory (2 Disc Edition) [DVD] [2005]

how can you not love this film!!!

Loved it

Mainly fun, very stylised, Depp a bit much for me sometimes but others could love it.

All good, grandchildren loved it

Still love this film as much as I used to and was so glad it's on here

I'm a massive Roald Dahl fan and just as big a Jonny Depp fan but watching him as willy wonka is just plain creepy. I've never got used to this film but my kids seem to love it.

Ok

kids love this movie so can watch it whenever now

I enjoyed this movie. I thought that Johnny Depp did a great job with the role of Willy Wonka.

Après avoir vu le film en dvd, je le voulais en version blu ray. Une meilleur qualité indiscutable

Mi piace molto. In italiano. Super!!

Hervorragender FilmBin begeistertObwohl ich zwei Filme gekauft habe, alle beiden bleiben immer wieder stecken

Roald Dahl’s work in cinemas was for years a touchy subject. Indeed, the author was not always fond of the pictures studios released. Even the famous Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory disappointed him due to various changes in the music, the script, and additions like the burping scene which he disliked. Of course, he had another point of protest that I will explore later. But another adaptation that bothered him was Nicholas Roeg’s The Witches, whose original movie ending — which he liked and made him weep as it respected his story — was censored by studios and replaced by a happy ending that betrayed the novel’s finale. Therefore, while he was alive, Roald Dahl disliked adaptations of his books whereas for the 1971 classic, the public loved it. So much that when Tim Burton directed a new adaptation of the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory — one much different from Gene Wilder’s version — certain viewers and media called it a “remake” of their favourite film. Which shows how some people never read the book or ignored that there was a novel from Roald Dahl. An author whose estate is now superbly managed by his widow Liccy Dahl, who produced other successful adaptations such as Matilda, Fantastic Mr. Fox, and this book adaptation. Which I consider even better than Gene Wilder’s production for various reasons. Which I will discuss later; alongside Mr. Wilder’s reaction.Now Charlie and The Chocolate Factory follows the trials of a young kid named Charlie Bucket, whose family lives in extreme poverty ever since the chocolate factory of Mr. Wonka closed down due to thieves stealing its recipes. Reopened a couple of years later, the building doesn’t accept new employees and the owner is now a hermit. Hidden in his company. Outsider to a world he mistrusts. Which puzzles everyone over how his industry produces successful products every day. Until one day, Willy Wonka launches a contest offering five children the chance to be his successor. Five children from all over the world. Including Charlie Bucket. And it’s on a specific date that these five participants and their parents visit the factory alongside Mr. Wonka. Exploring specific rooms, all guests will be tested. Leaving one final winner to obtain Willy Wonka’s legacy? But who will it be?In his adaptation, John August’s script respects the novel extremely well; especially its intricate dark humour and the magic of Willy Wonka’s inventions. Through beautiful visuals and great humouristic puns. And as John worked previously on Big Fish, another Tim Burton masterpiece, how wonderful to see them participate on a new project together. Continuing what Big Fish narrated, which is a young man – Willy Wonka – confronting his family past and conflicts he had with his father. Intrigue not in the original novel that confused some fans of the 1970 movie; who wondered what was that all about. So I explained to them what were the circumstances and reasoning behind that plotline, and they quickly understood and approved it. And the circumstances are Tim Burton’s life itself.Indeed, when he did Planet of the Apes, Big Fish, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – which involve dysfunctional father figures that make these movies part of what I call Tim Burton’s Father Trilogy – Tim’s parents had either died or were living their final years by themselves. And as Tim explained, his childhood with his parents was dysfunctional, so much that in his youth, he, like Wonka, left them to live by himself with his aunts. And when his father was dying of cancer, he tried to take care of him as best as he could. As for his mother, she was living alone in a small house; like Wonka’s dad and Helena Bonham Carter’s character on Big Fish. And when the actress and Tim Burton visited his mum, they found in it a plethora of memorabilia items from his pictures. Videocassettes, dvds, tie-in products, toys, and newspaper cut-outs about her son, his work, and life. Which really moved Tim and made him realise how his mum loved him. And it is this moment we see through the scenes between Willy Wonka and his dad. A parent who, all along, cared for his son and his work, even though he was at odds with him. Which brings us back to what Scott Rudin said about Johnny Depp’s roles; that he portrays Tim Burton and his personal turmoils and trials through their films. Something Tim might disagree with, though I agree for this movie.As such, the theme of family is presented. Different mentalities of parents and children, including how one of them resents children and adults due to his traumas. Alongside the craving for a harmonious family whose members support each other during trials.Now I know some critics were confused about how the movie speaks in dollars terms in one scene when the book is set in England. But when watching the film, you can consider it either as a fable set in an unnamed country or in a North American location. Either the United States or Canada. So to those who wish for more films set in Canada, here’s your chance.For its cast, interesting how originally some people were suggesting Michael Jackson as Willy Wonka and I know the singer was also interested. As for why he wasn’t chosen, one factor could be the personal trials the singer was going through in 2005. But as Tim Burton said in his book Burton on Burton, he did not think Michael was adequate for the role due to the opposing personalities between the singer and the Willy Wonka of his story. Indeed, he said that if Michael Jackson respects kids and is kind with them, the Wonka in his picture despises them. As such, he could not see that casting choice in his head and he instead employed another excellent choice. His friend Johnny Depp. Whose acting skills were perfect. With Freddie Highmore as Charlie Bucket, their chemistry was there as they had worked together on Finding Neverland the year before. Since they had enjoyed that experience, they would have no problem enjoying this adventure together. Alongside other great casting choices like Helena Bonham Carter as Charlie’s mum, Christopher Lee as Willy’s dad, Geoffrey Holder as the narrator, and Deep Roy as the Oompa Loompas. And regarding Michael Jackson, Taj Jackson, MJ’s nephew, said that his uncle saw Tim Burton’s movie and loved it; including Johnny Depp’s performance.Speaking of the Oompa Loompas, their songs are not new compositions like in the 1970s version, but instead the actual tunes Roald Dahl wrote in his book. With Danny Elfman singing the songs through voice effects. Which I loved as Danny is an incredible singer known for his Oingo Boingo experience. For each tune, different musicality. Including Indian music for Veruca Salt’s tune, my favourite in its dark humour present through the lyrics and melodies.For the production design, impressive sets. Big ones. Built at Pinewood studios; on locations where Stanley Kubrick and James Bond classics were done. And for each section of the Wonka Factory, fascinating art styles and colours. Pastels, Candy Pop, Japanese Pop, Anime, Ice Cold, Stark White, and even a circular set with squirrels working on it. Though the pinaccle for me remains the Bucket house. That Tim Burton was the first to deduce as Roald Dahl’s writing retreat in his backyard; which delighted Liccy Dahl who said he was the first to get it. And if you look at certain details, you will notice how Tim was already preparing his Alice in Wonderland. While with Philippe Rousselot’s cinematography, he pulls for the boat ride amazing light effects that reveal his love for Mario Bava; filmmaker pioneer in Italian cinema.And now the tricky question. Over Gene Wilder’s perception of the film. Not as a novel adaptation, but as a remake of his 1971 classic. Being hostile to how his character was portrayed and how Tim Burton directed the story, saying that Tim is a director known for making “scary movies” and that he was just cash-grabbing the name of Willy Wonka out of greed. Hostility you can sense in his interviews and Q&As. And which detractors have used against the film and Tim. Which upset Johnny Depp as he felt the movie had every right to be made. That it was not a copy, but an adaptation of a book Roald Dahl wrote years before the 1971 picture.Now though I saw the 1971 classic on TV, I only saw it once and did not want to see it again. Because I felt the same reactions as Roald Dahl and which I learned about years later. Like him, I felt the Wonka in Gene’s movie was too goody-goody and preachy. I also found the songs bland, Hollywood-appealing, and I disliked their lyrics which annoyed the hell out of me. Furthermore, another detail I disapproved — which Roald Dahl also said in letters to friends — was Gene Wilder’s pretentiousness and arrogance as he acted like the Wonka role and the picture were “his” properties. That nobody could touch it. And which became evident over his treatment of Tim’s adaptation. As Roald Dahl said, he would have preferred more eccentric figures as Wonka like Peter Sellers and Spike Milligan. Whom I would have found fascinating on screen.And seriously, what is this entitlement behaviour some actors have over a movie? Though of course, the 1971 picture is appreciated by millions of fans and can still be appreciated by new ones, it is not Gene’s film but Mel Stuart. And the original story is owned by Roald Dahl himself. Furthermore, anybody has the right to do their own adaptations. Whether they are plays, pictures, radio shows, or video games. After all, we have every year countless adaptations of Shakespeare’s works and of Jane Austen’s novels and nobody makes a fuss over that. I even know that a theatre adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate factory was done by a school teacher in the 1970s and when Roald Dahl received that person’s script, he praised it, and even authorised the teacher to publish it as a book and theatre script for school shows. So to me, this whole debate over the 1971 and the 2005 production has nothing to do with the book and the Roald Dahl estate/family, who praised Tim Burton’s production. It has more to do with Gene Wilder’s ego who — although I can recognise his work in his Wonka performance as inspirational as his other performances in many movies — has displayed an ownership over a role that is not his, but Roald Dahl’s as I always think that Willy Wonka is a part of Roald Dahl’s personality.So to fans of the 1971 picture, I encourage them to see Tim’s film not as a remake but as an adaptation of the novel. As a new interpretation and analysis of this 20th century classic we all have read and loved.And as a Tim Burton/Johnny Depp fan, I consider it as an important piece of their careers. As a portion of a fascinating father trilogy, and a beautiful display of their visual/narrative skills.