Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, Helena Bonham Carter

JOHNNY Depp proves his versatility with a brilliant portrayal of the confectionary megalomaniac in Tim Burton’s screen adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic tale.

Bringing Willy Wonka to life as a well meaning but somewhat twisted and naïve chocolateer, Depp is hilariously entertaining to watch. Depending on the circumstances, his broad smile is sometimes friendly, sometimes vacant, sometimes passive aggressive and occasionally downright hostile.

Despite the strength of Depp’s performance, the other characters hold their own and refuse to be overshadowed by either the richly coloured, dynamic chocolate factory or its owner. Even Charlie Bucket (played to understated perfection by the preternaturally competent Freddie Highmore) who, as the only character in the whole movie that could be described as “normal”, risks being eclipsed by his boisterous peers, stands out as a measure of just how far off the rails the rest of the cast are.

The sets – Burton apparently created as many real sets as possible, only falling back on green screen when absolutely necessary – are a vibrant sea of colours like a freshly spun candy bar.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is the perfect confection – rich but not too sweet, dark but not too bitter and with enough nuts mixed into the middle to be entertaining the whole way through.

Like all good children’s movies, it will captivate the younger members of its audience and be a guilty pleasure for their parents.

Rating: 5 stars

– Pte John Wellfare