Charlie And The Chocolate Factory

Reviewer: Alyice Edrich

The Movie

Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, 2005

Starring

Johnny Depp and Freddie Highmore

Plot

In Charlie And The Chocolate Factory the plot has less to do with symbolism and metaphors about life and more to do with finding the humor in life. Yet, there is one lesson you simply cannot escape. Charlie, now the main character of the film, reminds everyone in the audience that it doesn’t matter how much or how little money you have, it’s family that makes life worth living.

Charlie Buckett, played by Freddie Highmore, lives with his maternal and paternal grandparents, and his parents in a small, lopsided house on a household budget that keeps them in cabbage soup. When news reports suggest that one lucky person could not only win a tour of the Chocolate factory, but a surprise gift, Charlie’s family gathers enough money to buy him a Wonka candy bar as a birthday present. With high hopes, he opens the Wonka bar only to be disappointed. He didn’t have a gold ticket.

As time passes, Charlie dreams of winning a trip to the chocolate factory begin to die as another gold ticket finds its way into the hands of a bratty, unworthy child. Unwilling to give up hope, Charlie’s grandfather encourages him to stick to his dreams, then one day Charlie finds enough money to buy a Wonka bar for himself. And what should he find but a winning, gold ticket!

Once inside the chocolate factory, Charlie watches as the other winners go against Wonka’s warnings and end up in some sort of crazy-mixed up trouble. In the end, Wonka finds Charlie worthy of the ultimate prize, heir of the chocolate factory. But there’s a condition, Charlie must leave his family behind. Understanding the true importance of family, Charlie declines Wonka’s offer.

After contemplating Charlie’s decision to put family above wealth, fortune, and fame, Wonka visits Charlie for advice. In the end, Wonka rebuilds his relationship with his own father, and finds a new family in Charlie’s. And Charlie, well…he not only becomes Wonka’s heir, but he keeps his principles in check…family first, success second.

Review

If you like Edward Scissorhands, you will love Charlie And The Chocolate Factory!

This version of Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is nothing like the original film. While the plot lines are very similar, this version is darker, more quirky, and a bit far-fetched. Charlie And The Chocolate Factory take’s Dahl’s vision of over-obsessive behavior to new heights.

My daughter requested to watch this film because Annasophia Robb was in it. My son wanted to see it because Johnny Depp was in it, and to be truthful, I had no intentions of seeing it as I am not into remakes because they rarely do the original film justice. But I have to tell you that Charlie And The Chocolate Factory cannot be compared to its counterpart, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, because they are two entirely different versions and each film can not only stand on its own merits, but reach two different audiences.

Depp amazes me with his ability to fit into whatever role the script calls for. He is truly a genius in his own right, and not praised enough for his acting talents.

If you’re looking for a film to entertain your teenager, pick up a copy of Charlie And The Chocolate Factory today.

Order Charlie And The Chocolate Factory today!