Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Tim Burton's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" is the second big screen adaptation of the classic Roald Dahl novel, following in the footsteps of the cult Gene Wilder version, and is every bit as good as the source material it is based on.

Willy Wonka (Depp) is the reclusive owner of a magical chocolate factory, which has been closed to the public for fifteen years. Then out of nowhere, he is back amid much fanfare to announce an incredible competition to the world. The rules are simple: five golden tickets are hidden inside his Wonka chocolate bars, which will admit entry into the factory for one lucky winner and a guest to be given a guided tour by Wonka himself.

Four tickets go to four equally undeserving specimens. The fifth, however, is found by Charlie Bucket (Highmore) - a local lad from a poor family living in the shadow of the factory - who along with the other children and his Grandpa Joe enter the factory and begin the ride of a lifetime. Once inside, nothing is what it seems and the unexpected is never far away, as they are entertained by Wonka and his mischievous band of Oompa Loompas.

Depp is fantastic as Wonka, imparting more than enough wackiness into the part to bring him truly to life for perhaps the first time, whilst Highmore is uncannily accurate as Charlie. It is as if Dahl's words are coming to life before our eyes. The rest of the cast too are just as one would expect, except Lee's Dr. Wonka who is a new introduction to the story.

All in all, Burton and Depp have enjoyed three successful collaborations previously (Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood and Sleepy Hollow) and this one is no different. It is funny, smart and fairly quirky – just what one hopes Dahl would have wanted.

James Kopka