Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

Hot take: Why the 2005 remake is actually almost as good as Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005; HBO Max, Netflix)

A boy dreams of finding one of five golden tickets that would grant him a tour of the nearby Wonka chocolate factory—a wonderland of the mischievous and weird. I saw this movie in theaters in 2005. I loved it then, but I didn’t think I would like it anymore. The 1971 classic is perhaps objectively better, if only for the climactic confrontation of judgment, grace, and “a good deed in a weary world.” However, when I rewatched this 2005 remake last week—this red-headed stepchild of family fantasy films— I was amazed by how much I still enjoyed it.

The script is wholly original. In many ways more like the 1964 book, as signaled by the fact that this movie’s title matches the book title. The music and songs are top-notch. Each song is quite unique (and entertaining) in style, and again, the lyrics are straight from the book. The special effects were cutting-edge in 2005, and I still appreciate their blend of practical effects and CGI. The chocolate waterfall looks CGI, but it’s actually real! The Oompa Loompas are played by a real actor and comically all identical. As for the meticulous design of the rooms and the color schemes, both in the factory and in the children’s homes, it has that peculiar brand of gothic, German expressionist artistry that made Tim Burton famous.

One of the highlights for me on this viewing was Charlie himself. The actor is a delight to watch—humble, caring, melancholy but always positive. No “cheer up Charlie” song is needed in this version! Because he’s not a sourpuss!! But he still has something he needs to learn: a different lesson, perhaps even more important than “don’t drink fizzy-lifing drinks.” That other grandpa—this version does a good job giving each of the grandparents a different role—teaches him something that he teaches Wonka later. I noticed that grandpa looking on with pride as Charlie showed he had learned the lesson.

In part, the lesson is family. Maybe every American family movie is about loving your family. Maybe this one is too glib at the end, when reconciliation can happen without words or any actual complications involving imperfect human beings. But it’s a fairy tale. Let it be simple. Over-the-top, tongue-in-cheek, perhaps even naïve, but genuine.

Then there’s Wonka. Johnny Depp seems to have made quite a splash as askew “mad hatters” in the early 2000s—in Pirates of the Caribbean, Alice in Wonderland, and this. I’m not sure if he’s ruder than Gene Wilder’s Wonka. Wilder’s Wonka is actually quite rude, but we accept it because the families he’s guiding are so broken and he’s so right. Wilder’s Wonka represented the perfect father these families needed (and that Charlie got!). But this Charlie already has a father. In fact, he has very loving and attentive parents and grandparents. His household is, refreshingly, exactly what all the other kids need. So this Wonka is more of a child who never grew up—or who grew up wrong. He’s almost as broken as these naughty children. Although I prefer Wilder’s Wonka, Depp plays this wacky role with so much zest that it’s hard not to like him.

The script is quotable, the songs are singable, the effects are effective, the humor is piercing, and the heart is warm. “Let’s boogie.”

So, what do you think? Let me know in the comments if you think the 2005 remake (or more precisely, new adaptation) is enjoyable or if it doesn't hold a candle to the 1971 original? If you're still not convinced, consider this. In this cinema landscape, wouldn't you much rather see a remake with this much original acting, writing, and art design than... another sequel?

For sensitive viewers: Several jokes that could be called rude humor. Naughty children, including a boy who plays violent video games. A parent briefly drinks a martini. Magically bad things happen to several bad children. Maybe one swear word. See full details on IMDb or PluggedIn.

Nathan’s Writing Update

After some weeks of traveling I’m back to stay for a while. Now I'm ready to start sending a new chapter of my upcoming book through the hsawaknow (that’s Wonkawash spelled backwards). To the point, it is time for me to write about how Frozen stylistically expresses the literary dialogism described by Mikhail Bakhtin—in terms that sound attractive rather than academic, readable rather than really confusing. Wish me success!