TIM BURTON
Bil’s rating (out of 5): BBB.5. USA/United Kingdom, 2005. Warner Bros., Village Roadshow Pictures, The Zanuck Company, Plan B Entertainment, Theobald Film Productions, Craig Miller Productions. Screenplay by John August,based on the book by Roald Dahl. Cinematography by Philippe Rousselot. Produced by Brad Grey, Richard D. Zanuck. Music by Danny Elfman. Production Design by Alex McDowell. Costume Design by Gabriella Pescucci. Film Editing by Chris Lebenzon. Academy Awards 2005. Golden Globe Awards 2005.
Roald Dahl’s everlasting children’s book, previously filmed in 1968 with Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory, has been turned into another fun, kooky adventure by the imaginative Tim Burton. A group of children win a contest to take a tour in the factory of a reclusive chocolate maker (Johnny Depp), with our main focus and sympathy falling on the sweet and loveable Charlie (Freddie Highmore). Charlie isn’t as greedy as his companions and is that much safer in the beautiful but treacherous factory as a result. Rivers of chocolate, chocolate teleporters, an army of nut-shelling squirrels and a beautiful glass elevator that can go anywhere in any direction are just some of the curiosities that Charlie (and the audience) experience in this faithful adaptation that retains all the charm of Dahl’s story without sacrificing any of its dark menace. Depp is divinely funny, while Gabriella Pescucci’s costume designs are a treat for the senses.
