"Accidents" happen on a guided tour of the factory by Mr Wonka, leading to children loosing their chance to win the final prize, and it incorporates comedy for the audience. The story unravels in a simple, yet effective manner, but to find out what happens at the end you’ll have to see it yourself!
The scenery can only be described as utterly magical. The secret world of chocolate waterfalls, dancing oompa loompas and dreamlike glass elevators is wonderfully realized, so it almost seems real. The costumes of both Willy Wonka and the oompa loompa’s tick the box completely, by being both imaginative and as breath-taking as the factory surrounding them.
The scenery in the film fits in with the fantasy theme, however nothing is unrealistic. The nut room, for example, is a prime example of realism, intertwined with fantasy, as it incorporates squirrels nibbling at nuts – like reality – and the cleverly inventive method of using them to decide whether the nuts are good or bad – which is unrealistic. The other rooms in the factory are similarly inventive and yet realistic. This technique used by Burton makes the audience believe and love every action and location shown in the film.
Johnny Depp creates a character which is original, however we still get a feel for the eccentric, lovable character from Dahl’s book, without feeling it is simply a copy of an original. The character is imaginative and fits well in his habitat of the Chocolate Factory. Burton also shows us a side of Wonka which allows reality to be retained in the film though, as at several points during the film it shows us flashbacks of his troubled childhood. He also appears physically unable to express the word “parents”. This conveys a sense of reality too, as even though he is an amazing inventor of chocolate he is not capable of everything. It gives portrays to the audience that nobody is perfect, which is suitable for the target audience of children.
Freddie Highmore plays Charlie alongside Depp, 13-year-old provides its soul. Every viewer falls in love with him the minute he appears on the screen, and his generosity and love he shows towards his family makes him all the more appealing. His acting skills cannot be doubted, as he portrays perfectly the role that Dahl and Burton have created.
The Oompa Loompas star in all the musical numbers, with composer Danny Elfman borrowing motifs from old Hollywood classics. Musical numbers were also a part of the book, and Dahl's clever lyrics are sung and danced to by the Oompa Loompas (Deep Roy). Each song has a moral, and the way in which these morals are conveyed in a light, quirky manner make the film enjoyable, but still educational for the target audience of children.
Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is another fabulous version of the original book and film. The plot is imaginative and exciting, and keeps you hooked from beginning to end. The film was fully worth the £6.99 I paid for this film, and I will get good value from it, as I plan to watch it again in the future. The film is full of realistic ideas intertwined with fantasy, and the target audience’s requirements are met as there is a mixture of comedy, morals and imagination. I fully enjoyed this film and would definitely recommend it to other chocolate lovers!
